Day 18

Literacy: Toilet Roll Letters
Objectives	Materials	Method
Associate words with particular letters	Toilet Rolls (the number depends on how many letters you want to focus on) Bottle Tops (the same number as the number of toilet rolls) Paint Letters printed on paper (either all or just a few) Pictures or words starting with each letter of the alphabet	Have your child paint the toilet rolls. Place the one end of the toilet roll in a bottle top. This will provide stability for it to stand. Help your child stick a letter to each of the toilet rolls. As you do so, have them say the sound of the letter. Then have them look at the pictures and say the word that describes the picture, such as “cat.” Help them understand that the word “cat,” for example, starts with the sound “c.” Have them identify the “c” toilet roll and stick the picture on the toilet roll. Repeat with the other pictures.
Math: Playdough Numbers
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the numbers	Playdough Number Cookie Cutters	Let your child play with playdough and number cookie cutters. Practice saying the name of the number.
Fine Motor Development: Table Setting
Objectives	Materials	Method
Develop a sense of order Hand-eye coordination	Knife Fork Plate Glass Salt and Pepper Shakers	Demonstrate setting a table by first placing the plate on the table, followed by the knife and fork. Then place the glass and salt and pepper shakers. Now let your child try. Help when needed.
Art: Lego Art
Objectives	Materials	Method
Exploring different art mediums	Finger Paint Foil Pie Pan Lego Blocks Paper	Place some paint in the foil pie pan. More colors make the exercise more interesting. Show your child that they can use the Lego blocks to apply the paint to the paper. Hold the Lego block in one hand with the studs facing outwards, away from your hand. Place the studs in the paint and then press firmly on the paper. Now have your child try. Repeat with different colors to make an interesting picture.
Physical Education: Air Balloon
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Balloons	Blow up several balloons. Have your child stand on one side of the room and you on the other. Throw the balloon to your child and encourage them to run towards the balloon and hit it towards you. You then run for the balloon and hit it towards your child. See how long you can keep the balloon from touching the ground. Then use objects such as a bat or a stick to hit the balloon towards each other.

Day 17

Literacy: Scrabble Search
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the name and sound of a letter	Container of rice Scrabble letters Paper Pen	On a piece of paper trace around each of the scrabble letters and write in the letters. Place the scrabble letters in the container of rice. Have your child find a letter and place it on the paper over the corresponding letter.
Math: Muffin Counting
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning to count objects Learn the numbers	6 paper muffin cups Buttons (or other small objects) Sharpie	In each muffin cup write a number from 4 to 8. Have your child count four buttons. Ask them to find the muffin cup which has the number 4 written in it and have them place the four buttons in the muffin cup. Repeat this with the remaining buttons and muffin cups.
Fine Motor Development: Noodle Necklace
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Yarn Scissors Pasta (such as penne or macaroni)	Cut the yarn so that it is a good length for a necklace. Show your child how to thread the noodles onto the yarn. Have them try and assist when necessary. Tie the ends to form a necklace.
Music: Musical Instruments
Objectives	Materials	Method
Explore beat and rhythm	String Large margarine tub (or equivalent) Pringles can (or equivalent Wooden Dowels Beans or rice Pot and Pan Wooden Spoon	Punch a hold into either side of the margarine tub lid and tie string through the holes so that the tub can hang around your child's neck. Place the beans/rice in the pringles can. Together explore the sounds you can make using the drum (margarine tub and wooden dowels), by shaking the Pringles can, and by banging the wooden spoon on the pot/pan.
Physical Education: Musical Freeze
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement Balance	Music	Play your child’s favorite music and encourage them to dance to the music. Whenever you press pause your child must stop dancing. Press play and continue dancing. Show your child how to freeze in different positions. See how long they can balance in that position.

Day 16

Literacy: Words that Start with ...
Objectives	Materials	Method
Associate the first letter of a word with a known letter	3x5 index cards 2 large pieces of paper Sharpie Crayons	On the index cards, draw several pictures of objects that begin with a particular letter, such as “puppy,” “pen,” “popcorn,” and “parrot.” Then on some other index cards draw pictures of objects that begin with another letter, such as “bone,” “backpack,” “books,” and “bus.” On one piece of paper write the letter, such as “P,” and one the other piece of paper write the other letter, such as “B.” Encourage your child to color the pictures and to name the objects. Once they have completed coloring and naming the objects, have them pick a card. Show them the letters on the piece of paper and ask them the sound of the letters. Explain that they are going to sort the cards according to the first letter of the word. Have them say the name of the object and say it slowly. Repeat it slowly, while emphasizing the first letter. Ask them if the word starts with a “p” or a “b.” Help them if they are unsure. Place the card on the paper of the appropriate letter. Repeat until they have sorted all the cards.
Math: Shape Matching
Objectives	Materials	Method
Knows the basic shapes	Different colored markers Craft sticks (lollipop sticks)	Place two sticks together and on both sticks draw a circle, where half of the circle is on one stick and the other half on the other stick. Repeat this with more shapes: square, rectangle, triangle, oval, heart, star. Make each shape a different color. Have half of the sticks lined up on a flat surface, while you mix up the remaining sticks. Ask your child to pick up a stick and encourage them to place it next to the stick that matches the shape and color of the stick they have. Repeat with all the sticks.
Fine Motor Development: Beads and Tweezers
Objectives	Materials	Method
Development of the pincer grip Improvement of hand-eye coordination	Two bowls Beads Tweezers	Show your child how to hold the tweezers and how to use their index finger and thumb to open and close the tweezers. Let them practice. Once they have mastered using the tweezers, have them use the tweezers to pick up each bead and move it from one bowl to the other.
Science: Exploration of the Taste and Smell
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn about the five senses	Several spices Small containers	Pour small amounts of your spices into small containers. Encourage your child to smell and then taste them. Explain that they smell with their nose and taste with their tongue.
Physical Education: Hula Hoop
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Hula Hoop	Show your child how to do the following and then let them try: Put the hula hoop on the ground. Step inside the hula hoop and then reach down and grab the edges of the hula hoop. Bring the hula hoop up to waist level, while gripping it firmly with two hands. Gently relax the hoop against one side of your body and then start to move your waist in a circular motion, while spinning the hoop.

Day 15

Literacy: Canvas Letter
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the name and sound of a letter	Canvas Masking Tape Acrylic Paints	Using the masking tape put the first letter of your child's name on the canvas (or the entire name if you are able to). Allow your child to paint the entire canvas. Once dry, remove the masking tape. During the activity, keep reminding them of the name and sound of the letter(s).
Math: Pom-pom Numbers
Objectives	Materials	Method
Knows the representation of numbers	Paper Pom-poms	On the paper write the numbers 1, 2, and 3. Make them quite large. Give your child the pom-poms and show them how to place the pom-poms on the numbers so that they cover the writing and the pom-poms form the numbers. Encourage them to do it alone.
Fine Motor Development: Wooden Puzzles
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Wooden Puzzles	Have your child play with wooden puzzles. If you do not have any puzzles, cut up a picture from a magazine, paste it onto cardboard and cut it into a puzzle. If your child is tired of the puzzles you own, switch your puzzles with a friend's puzzles for a day.
Art: Making a Collage
Objectives	Materials	Method
Is able to create a collage using paper and glue	Thin colored paper, such as newsprint, thin construction paper, or tissue paper. Glue stick or homemade paste (mix ½ cup cold water with 1 cup flour). Large sheet of construction paper.	Tear or cut the thin colored paper into small pieces. Place glue on the small pieces. Help your child to paste the torn pieces of paper on the large sheet of paper to make a collage.
Physical Education: Wheelbarrow and Gorilla Walks
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Nothing	Show your child how to do the following and let them practice: Wheelbarrow walking: Have your child place their hands on the ground. While their hands remain on the ground, pick up their feet. Have them lift each hand and slowly move forward, while you are holding their feet in the air. Gorilla walking: Walk with knees slightly bend, while stooped over. Have your hands hang close to the ground as you walk. Encourage your child to grunt like a gorilla as they walk.

Day 14

Literacy: Chalkboard Letter Erasing
Objectives	Materials	Method
Begin to trace the letters of the alphabet	Chalkboard Chalk Q-tip Container of water	On a chalkboard write a letter. Have your child name the letter and say the sound of the letter. Give your child a q-tip which you have previously dipped in water. Help them trace the letter so that the chalk disappears. Repeat with another letter.
Math: Bingo
Objectives	Materials	Method
Associate the number of dots with the numeral	Two pieces of paper Counters Die	On each piece of paper draw a table with 2 rows and 3 columns. In each block write one number between 1 and 6. Have your child throw the die. Help them count the dots on the face and find the number on the piece of paper and place a counter over the number. Now you throw the die and place a counter over the number you threw. Repeat until all the numbers have been covered.
Fine Motor Development: Cloth Folding
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Different sized cloths (from the size of a napkin to a towel)	Place the cloth on a flat surface. Demonstrate how to fold the smallest of the cloths. Assist your child in folding the cloth in half and then in half again. Then allow them to try alone, only assisting when necessary. Repeat using a bigger cloth.
Music: Composer Focus
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning rhythm	Music of a classical composer	Play the music of a composer, such as Beethoven or Bach. Tell your child that they are listening to music composed by that composer. Assist them in tapping to the music. March with them around the room while listening to the music.
Physical Education: Limbo
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of movement Learning to balance	String (or a broom or hose pipe) Two Chairs	Tie some string between two chairs. Make it high enough for your child to easily get under. Now lower the string and have them walk under while bending backwards. If they touch the string, they need to try again until they can go under the string without touching it. Lower the string again and have your child try again. If bending backwards is too difficult, have them go under the string any way they want, without touching the string. Have them bend under the string backwards when they are a little older.

Day 13

Literacy: Letter Focus
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn one of the letters of the alphabet	Paper Scissors Letter stickers Alphabet felt stickers Sand paper Glue Sharpie Crayons	Using the Sharpie, write the letter on the paper that you are going to focus on with your child. Cut that letter out of different colored pieces of paper and sand paper. Help your child glue them onto the paper. Run their index finger over the sand paper letter. Have your child stick the letter stickers and felt letter stickers onto the paper. Encourage them to try writing the letter (even if they can only scribble). Constantly repeat the sound of the letter with them. You can also tell them words that begin with that letter. (“T” is for truck. “T” is for train. “T” is for tummy.)
Math: Beanbag Number Jumping
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn the numbers Hand-eye coordination Jumping	Chalk Beanbag	On the sidewalk write the numbers from 1 to 5. Now throw the beanbag onto a number. Say the number and jump to it. Pass the beanbag to your child and help them do the same. Then they pass the beanbag to you and you repeat until you have jumped on all the numbers.
Fine Motor Development: Button Sorting
Objectives	Materials	Method
Development of the pincer grip Development of visual discrimination	Egg Carton Different colored buttons	In an empty egg carton place one button of each color in each dimple. Point out to your child the various colors of the buttons. Have them state the color. Have the remaining buttons in a pile. Help your child divide the buttons according to color and place them in the egg carton. Reinforce the color names as you do so.
Science: Blow it up Balloon
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learn about gas (as opposed to liquids and solids)	Balloon Baking soda Vinegar Plastic Bottle Funnel	Using the funnel pour the vinegar into the bottle so that the bottle is about a third full. Now pour baking soda into the balloon so that it is now about half full. Place the opening of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle. Do not let the baking soda fall into the vinegar prematurely. Lift the balloon once it is securely on the bottle so that the baking soda falls into the vinegar. Watch as it fizzes and produces gas so that the balloon fill with gas.
Physical Education: Tin Can Stilts
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Tin cans Can opener String	Using the can opener, make two holes in each can on opposite sides at the top. Then thread some string through the holes and tie them so that they reach up to the child's hands when relaxed at their sides. Show your child how to walk by lifting your left hand and left foot simultaneously and then your right hand and right foot together. For younger children, use short cans, like tuna fish cans, and slowly progress to taller cans.

Day 12

Literacy: Developing Comprehension
Objectives	Materials	Method
Develop comprehension	A story book	Read a book to your child. After each page, ask a question about what you just read. If they struggle, help them with the answer. Make the question slightly easier next time.
Math: Roll and Color
Objectives	Materials	Method
Associate the number of dots with the numeral	Paper Sharpie Die Crayons	On a piece of paper draw six circles (the size of quarters). Number them from 1 to 6. Have your child throw the die and then color in the corresponding circle. Have them throw the die again and repeat the activity. When they throw a number of a circle they have already colored in, have them state what number is displayed on the die and continue.
Fine Motor Development: Pipe Cleaner Color Sorting
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Pringles Can Pipe Cleaners Punch	Punch several holes in the lid of a Pringles Can. Place the lid on the can and show your child how to insert pipe cleaners through the holes in the lid. Let them try and assist when necessary.
Art: Odds and Ends Painting
Objectives	Materials	Method
Explore different mediums	Finger Paint Paper Fork, Spoon, Cotton Ball, Q-tip, Sticks, Wet Spaghetti (or anything else that could be used as a painting implement)	Show your child how to use the random objects to paint with on the paper. Allow them to explore and be creative. Encourage them to use each object and not just their fingers.
Physical Education: Obstacle Course
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Whatever objects you need to make an obstacle course	Create an obstacle course for your child to crawl over, jump over, crawl under, stop to get a drink, walk on all fours, and so on.

Day 11

Literacy: Alphabet Treasure Hunt
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning the letters	Plastic or wooden letters Sand or Dirt	Hide the letters in the sand. Invite your child to scoop the sand and hunt for hidden letters. Each time they find one, have them say the name or the sound of the letter.
Math: Pipe Cleaner Counting
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning to count objects Learn the numbers	Card 10 Pipe cleaners cut in half Beads Sharpie Cup	Write 1 to 10 across the top of the card. Tape a piece of pipe cleaner under each number. Tape it at the top so that it can lift up. Place the beads in the cup and have your child place the right number of beads on the pipe cleaner according to the number written above. Once completed have your child count the beads to check that they are correct.
Fine Motor Development: Pushing Pom-poms
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination Development:	Old butter container Pom-poms Scissors	Cut small holes into the lid of the container. Show your child how to push the pom-poms through the holes until all the pom-poms are inside the container. Now have them do it.
Science: Prediction Game
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning to predict	Blank Card Pictures of animals or trucks or of anything your child knows well (but use pictures they haven't seen before)	Have your child say “predict.” Tell them that the word predict means to guess. (Keep the explanation very basic and use words they understand.) Tell your child that you will be playing a game where they need to predict or guess what a picture is showing. Cover up most of one of the pictures using the card. Tell your child to say: “I predict the picture shows a ….” If they get it wrong, show a little more of the picture and have them predict again. Repeat with another picture.
Physical Education: Soccer
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Ball	Work with your child to kick the ball into the goal (or a box). Also, have them play “goalie” as you lightly kick the ball towards them have them block the ball from entering the goal.

Day 10

Literacy: Rock Letters
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning the letters	Small rocks Paper Sharpie	On the paper draw circles about the size of the rocks on the paper so that the circles form a letter. Have your child place the rocks on the circles so that when they are done, the rocks form a letter. Ask your child if they can identify the letter and the sound it makes. Repeat this with different letters.
Math: Longer and Shorter Rods
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning the concept of longer and shorter	A series of rods (or something similar) which are of varying lengths	Have the rods in a pile on the floor. Have your child select a rod. Now ask them to find a rod which is longer? Help them if they do not understand. Explain why it is longer. Repeat this until they understand what a longer rod is. Now repeat the exercise with asking them to find a shorter rod. Finally, you can ask them to find a longer rod and then ask them to find a shorter rod to see if they understand the concept.
Fine Motor Development: Sweeping
Objectives	Materials	Method
Hand-eye coordination	Broom Dustpan Beans Masking Tape	Scatter beans on the floor. Using masking tape and create a square on the floor. Show your child how to sweep the beans so that they are lying within the square. Scatter the beans again and have them sweep the beans within the square. Now place the dustpan on the floor while holding it by the handle. With the other hand use the broom to move the beans onto the dustpan. Have your child try this. It may take a lot of help at first.
Music: Drumming
Objectives	Materials	Method
Learning rhythm	Wooden dowels	Have your child hold the wooden dowels. Hold your child's hand which is holding the dowel within in your hand. Play music and beat the rhythm.
Physical Education: Stick Pull
Objectives	Materials	Method
Coordination of Movement	Stick (or broom stick)	Sit down with your child and place your feet against theirs. Hold the stick between you, while both of you hold the stick. Your hands should alternate (your hand, their hand, your hand, their hand) The object is to pull your opponent to their feet. Tell your child to pull the stick . Have your child try this with a friend or a sibling.