JANUARY 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING Draw the numbers 2021 and Play ‘Riddle Me.’ color them with your child. I’m white and cold and fun to Talk about the new year. play in. What am I? Yes! Snow! Take turns o ering riddles.

3 TALKING 4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING 7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING Have a conversation about Sing “The Rhyming Weigh your child and write Visit the library (or the With your child write Create a small obstacle Talk about colors. Ask your winter. Ask your child, “What Word” song. it here ______. Save the library’s website if the (and talk about) course and give your child child what their favorite is your favorite thing about (Words are calendar and measure building is not open) and important dates directions. color is and share what your winter?” Tell what your on the back. ) again in June. check out a book. on a 2021 Go around the chair, go over the favorite color is. Talk about favorite thing is about winter. calendar. book, pick up the spoon, turn things that are those colors. around, and come back.

10 SINGING 11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING Pick a song your child is Measure your child’s height Use your finger to With your child write Play ‘Follow the Leader.’ Do Talk about food. Make up silly songs about familiar with and act it out and write it here ______. follow along with the “Birthday” on each day in things and ask your child to Which food do you each think is everyday activities. while it is playing. Save the calendar and words as you 2021 that is the birthday of a do the same. the most delicious? What do you This is the way we make the bed, measure again in June. read aloud to family member. Talk about Touch your head, Turn around, want to have for dinner? make the bed, make the bed. your child today. what you are doing. Sit down. This is the way we brush our teeth, etc.

17 COUNTING 18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING 21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING Count snacks. Be a reading role model. Let Write a list of things to do Go on a scavenger hunt. Take out a few ice cubes. Sing a favorite song in a Measure your feet day! Line Put them in separate small How many crackers are there? your child catch you reading today. Have your child check Look for things that loud voice and then up all the family’s shoes and bowls. Help your child place a book, a newspaper, or a o each as it is completed. begin with S. a quiet voice. boots. Whose are biggest? them around your home, magazine. Shoe, sock, soap. The smallest? including outside. Talk about which melts first.

24 READING 25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING 28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING Read a book about winter. Draw the outline of your Let’s dance! Play favorite Say the nursery rhyme “Hey Take turns singing parts of Say the “Five Little Ask your child questions child’s hand on a piece of songs that will inspire your Diddle Diddle.” (Words are the ABC song. Sing it fast Snowmen” rhyme. (Words while you read to them on the back. ) 31 WRITING paper. Write the date and child to do di erent things and sing it slow are on the back. ) today. What do you think Talk about how funny it is. The Make an alphabet poster have your child “sign” the like jump and spin around. cow jumps over the moon? The will happen next? Where with large and colorful letters. drawing. Save it. little dog laughs? The dish runs did the little dog go? away with the spoon? You have been your child’s teacher from the day he or she was born. Books to Read You know more about your child than anyone else, and you are in the best position to help your child get ready to read. Whether your child is four days old or four years this Month old, it is not too early or too late to help him or her develop pre-reading skills. You can help your child learn language and other early literacy skills with simple and fun activities like those in this calendar.

THE RHYMING WORD SONG Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, ask the librarian for a recommendation. Do you know two rhyming words, rhyming words, rhyming words? Do you know two rhyming words? They sound a lot alike. Cat and bat are rhyming words, rhyming words, rhyming words Cat and bat are rhyming words. They sound a lot alike. FOR READERS AGES 0 3

CHANGE UP THE RHYMING WORDS TO CREATE NEW VERSES. FOR EXAMPLE: Besos for Baby by Jen Arena Play and day are rhyming words, rhyming words, rhyming words . . . (Text is in English and Spanish) “More, More, More,” Said the Baby HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE FIVE LITTLE SNOWMEN by Vera B. Williams Hey Diddle Diddle Five little snowmen standing in a row, (Hold up five fingers) The Cat and the Fiddle FOR READERS The Cow Jumped Over the Moon Each had a hat and a big red bow. (Put hands on head and then neck) AGES 3+ The Little Dog Laughed Out came the sun and stayed all day, Arctic Animals To See Such Sport (Circle arms overhead) by Jill McDonald And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon And one little snowman melted away. (Slump down) A Big Bed for

REPEAT WITH , , , , UNTIL NO SNOWMEN ARE LEFT. Little Snow by Grace Lin FEBRUARY 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING 4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING Use a red crayon to keep Play the yes-no game. Ask your child questions Clap along to a favorite Look at a calendar together. Pick a book to read a list of all the red things “Is the sky blue?” “Is it morning?” that have more than a song. Emphasize the slow Count the number of days together. Stop reading you see today. Red car. Red “Is our dog’s name Spot? yes or no answer. What parts and the until Valentine’s Day. Draw a before the end and ask your truck. Red door. Write it is something fun we did fast parts. heart around February 14 child, “What do you think down with the red crayon! today? What is something will happen? fun we can do tomorrow?

7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING 11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING Let your child scribble and Go on a scavenger hunt. After reading together, talk Recite “Twinkle, Twinkle, Count your steps today. Set up a reading routine: Letters are everywhere. draw, encourage them to Look for things that start with about interesting words in Little Star” (Words are on From the bedroom to the read after naps Today look for the letter “sign” their name on their the “f” sound, like fruit, feet, the book. the back. ) kitchen. From the front door and before that your child’s first name drawing. face, fork. to the corner. All the way bedtime. begins with and show them back home. when you find it. Ask your child to also look. 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING 18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING Happy Valentine’s Day! Sing Talk about your family’s Sing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” Recite the rhyme “One, Two, Look at the covers of books Trace shapes and letters in Play store. Set up a little “The More We Get Together.” plans for the day. What is together. (Words are on the Buckle My Shoe.” (Words are before reading them. Talk a shallow pan of flour, salt, store with items in your (Words are your child excited to do or back. ) on the back. ) about what the books might or baking soda. house and take turns being on the back. ) see? be about. the shopper and the check- out clerk.

21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING 25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING Introduce a new word to Sing a favorite song Pick a number of the day. Point out signs everywhere Make a chart of family Use masking tape to make Talk about concepts like describe how you feel. Say together. Change the Call it out wherever you today. Explain what they say preferences. List family lines or shapes on the floor. “on” and “o ” when you put “I feel joyful” rather than words to make it silly or see it! and how they help. member names and their Walk along the tape like a on and take o hats and “I’m happy.” to incorporate your child’s favorite colors, favorite flavor pretend balance beam. jackets. name. ice cream, favorite fruit, etc.

28 SINGING Make music with things you have in the house—pots, pans, spoons, and sing and dance around to the music you make. How we read to children is as important as how often we read to them. Books to Read No matter what your child’s age, reading together with your child—or shared reading—is the single most important activity that you can do to help your child get this Month ready to read. Engage your child in back and forth conversation about the books you read. Children learn more words when they have the opportunity to respond to questions. If English is not your first language, speak to your child in the language you know best. This allows you to explain things to your child more fluently. Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, ask the librarian for a recommendation. TWINKLE, TWINKLE, THE MORE WE GET TOGETHER LITTLE STAR The more we get together Twinkle, twinkle, little star Together, together FOR READERS AGES 0 3 How I wonder what you are The more we get together Up above the world so high The happier we’ll be Whose Toes Are Those? Like a diamond in the sky ‘Cause your friends are my friends by Jabari Asim Twinkle, twinkle little star And my friends are your friends How I wonder what you are The more we get together Moo Ba La La La The happier we’ll be by Sandra Boynton

THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER The itsy bitsy spider went up the ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE FOR water spout. One, two; buckle my shoe. READERS (Move fingers up toward sky) Three, four; shut the door. AGES 3+ Five, six; pick up sticks. Down came the rain and washed the Mixed—A Colorful spider out. Seven, eight; don’t be late Story (Bring fingers down and back) Nine, ten; do it over again! by Arree Chung Out came the sun and dried up all the rain Pinky Got Out! (Move arms up over head) By Michael Portis And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again. (Move fingers up toward sky)

REPEAT WITH “GREAT BIG SPIDER” USING A GRUFF, DEEP VOICE. MARCH 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING 4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING Using masking tape, write Place a pillow on the floor. Talk about words that begin Sing about what you are Have your child help As you read, point out a your child’s name in large Sit on it and pretend you with “m,” like March, Mom, doing. measure ingredients for a picture on the page and letters on the floor. Trace expand on it. are in an airplane in the sky. Milk This is how we brush our teeth, recipe by measuring and each letter by walking on it What do you see? Clouds, this is how we eat breakfast, etc. counting the number of That’s a tree. Trees have or pushing a toy car or train birds, buildings way below? cups or spoonfuls. branches and leaves. Birds around the letter. sometimes build nests in them.

7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING 11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING Pick a letter of the alphabet Play “I Spy” with rhyming Talk about what you are Sing “Five Little Froggies.” Count blocks as your child Look at wordless picture Make shapes in a tray of and practice tracing it. words. making for dinner. Name the (Words are on the back. ) stacks them. How many books together. rice. Triangle, square, circle. “I spy with my little eye di erent foods you will use. blocks before it topples Ask your child to Practice tracing your child’s something that rhymes with over? help tell the story. name. fly. What is it? Yes, the sky!”

14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING 18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING Line up chairs and pretend Use a block to pretend to Sing “Old MacDonald Had a Use masking tape to Help your child notice Invite your child to write an Pretend to be birds. Flap to drive a city bus. Take talk on the phone. Hand the Farm” after you read a book measure yourself and your words as you go through email or text message to a your wings and whistle, turns driving and being block to your child and say, about farm animals. child on a wall. Compare the your everyday routine. friend or relative. sing, and tweet. Talk about the passenger. Call out the “They want to talk to you.” (Words are on the back. ) sizes. Who is taller? Who is Point out street signs, words on Ask him or her to tell you what to your favorite birds. stops! shorter? food cartons, signs on shops, say. Show how you pick out the billboards, and more. letters on the keyboard .

21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING 25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING Expand on comments your Have a music parade. Play Collect a variety of pebbles Share what you are reading Write a shopping list Play a guessing game. Point out the shapes of child makes. pretend instruments while and rocks. Write numerals with your child. Read aloud together. Take it to the store We are going to a place that di erent objects, talk about “That is an airplane.” / “Where do you march on each. Help your child put a portion of a magazine, as you shop and show how begins with P, where do you how they are alike and you think it is going?” / “The tree around the them in order. book, or newspaper that the words on the list relate think we are going? Yes, the di erent. is green.” / “What else is green? house. you are reading. to what you purchase. Park!

28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING 31 WRITING Sing and dance Create a to-do list for the Show your child a selection Label your child’s “The Hokey-Pokey.” day. Have your child check of books. Ask which they belongings with their name. (Words and instructions o each activity would prefer to read first. Let them also label a few are on the back. ) as it is items (like the crayon box or completed. a pad of drawing paper). Playing to learn new words.

Play is one of the best ways for children to learn language and literacy skills. Play Books to Read helps children feel a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. This motivates them to try new experiences and not to give up when something seems di icult. this Month Also, it’s fun!

FIVE LITTLE FROGGIES OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM

Five little froggies sat on a shore. Old MacDonald had a farm Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, (Crouch like a frog) E-I-E-I-O ask the librarian for a recommendation. One went for a swim, then there were four. And on that farm he had a [animal name] (Pretend to leap and swim o ) E-I-E-I-O Four little froggies FOR READERS AGES 0 3 (Crouch like a frog) With a [animal noise twice] here and a [animal noise twice] there Looked out to sea. Higher, Higher (Put your hand at brow and look out to sea) Here a [animal noise], there a [animal noise], by Leslie Patricelli everywhere a [animal noise twice] One went swimming, and then there were three. (Pretend to leap and swim o ) Old MacDonald had a farm Making Faces—A First Book of Emotions by Abrams Appleseed Three little froggies said, “What can we do?” E-I-E-I-O One jumped in the water, then there were two. (Pretend to leap and swim o ) FOR READERS AGES 3+ Two little froggies sat in the sun. THE HOKEY POKEY (Crouch like a frog) You put your right foot in Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed One swam o , and then there was one. You take your right foot out. (Pretend to leap and swim o ) You put your right foot in Hooray for Birds One little froggie said “This is no fun!” And you shake it all about. by Lucy Cousins He dived in the water, and then there were none! You do the hokey pokey And you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about.

REPEAT WITH “LEFT FOOT,” “RIGHT HAND,” “LEFT HAND,” AND “WHOLE SELF”! APRIL 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING Write your child a small Play a questioning game. Talk about Spring and how it note. Leave it where they Ask your child, “Where are your is one of the four seasons. will find it. Read it to them toes?”; “Where is your nose?”; What will happen in Spring? with excitement and “Where are your ears?” What comes after Spring? expression.

4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING 7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING Sing a song in a high voice; Find two items that are Visit the library (in-person Help your child experiment Play follow the leader. Say a favorite nursery Has it been raining a lot? sing it in a low voice. Sing it similar but di erent sizes. or online) and with writing using pencils, One person (the leader) rhyme, change an important Sing, “Rain, Rain, Go Away.” slow; sing it fast. Talk about big and little. check out books crayons, markers, and chalk performs actions the others word to something silly. (Words are on the back. ) about Spring. on di erent types of paper must follow. Take turns Hickory-Dickory Dock, the and cardboard. being the leader. mouse ran up the tree . . .

11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING Cut a piece of toast in half. Teach letter sounds by Cut a letter of the alphabet Play the letter day game. Use new describing words Sing “Row, Row, Row Count to 5 as you spin in a Say, “Now we have two playing “I Spy.” out of cardboard. Put the Find things all day that start today. Your Boat” circle five times. Count 5 letter under a piece of pieces the same size.” “I spy with my little eye with the first letter Say “enormous” instead of “big.” during bath hops. Count five small steps. paper. Have your child color of your child’s time. Count five big steps. something that begins with S. over the letter and watch “Wonderful” instead of “great.” Yes! A shoe!” first name. the letter beneath appear.

18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING 21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING Get caught reading a book. Make a dot painting with Cut out large shapes—a Choose a word of the Make up a song about Place several objects on a Write a few letters down on Show your child reading is cotton swabs to help square, a rectangle, a day. Write the word down something that is familiar or table. Ask which is largest, di erent pieces of paper. important to you too. develop fine triangle, a circle. Place them together. Use the word interesting to your child. which is heaviest, which is Place them around the motor skills. on the floor. Take turns several times during the smallest. room. Help your child find telling which shapes to course of the day. them. step on.

25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING 28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING Create a writing box Make a tent with sheets and Say a favorite rhyme but Sing “I Hear Thunder.” Sort blocks by color. Count Ask interactive questions together. Include paper furniture. Pretend you are leave o the last word. (Words are on the back. ) how many there are of each while reading together. and crayons. Decorate the camping. What do you see? Have your child finish the color. Where is the dog? Where is outside and leave it within What do you hear? sentence the cat? easy reach of your child. Talking is one of the best ways for children to learn new words. Books to Read Speak to your child often during the day and try to use many di erent words to express your ideas. Children love to imitate, and they will try to imitate your speech. this Month Chances to chat include while you are getting dressed in the morning, eating breakfast, riding in the car, walking from the car to a store, playing together, doing chores, taking a bath, going to bed, and while saying goodnight. Ask lots of open- ended questions, those that require more than a yes or no answer. Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, ask the librarian for a recommendation.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY FOR READERS AGES 0 3 Rain, Rain, Weather Go away; by Jill McDonald Come again, Dream Big, Little One Another day; by Vashti Harrison Little [child’s name] wants to play FOR READERS I HEAR THUNDER AGES 3+ Sing to the tune “Frère Jacques” I hear thunder, I hear thunder. Cat & Mouse (Pound hands gently on floor or lap) by Britta Teckentrup Listen, don’t you? Listen, don’t you? (Cup hand to ear) Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris Pitter, patter raindrops; pitter, patter raindrops; (Wiggle fingers in falling motion in front of face) I’m wet through, (Shake body) So are you! (Tickle your child) MAY 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING Practice drawing shapes and letters in a tray of rice.

2 PLAYING 3 TALKING 4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING 7 WRITING 8 PLAYING Go on an outside scavenger Say as many words as you Use a homemade shaker Go for a walk. Take two Ask your child to “read” to Make a Mother’s Day card Play “Riddle Me.” hunt. Bring a list and check can that rhyme with “May.” and shake it to the beat of big steps. Take three large you by telling you their own and have your child sign I’m big, yellow, and hot. What am o the things you see. songs. steps. Count how many story based on pictures in their name. I? Yes! I am the sun! steps from your door to the a book. sidewalk.

9 TALKING 10 SINGING 11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING Talk about feelings you felt Sing “The Farmer Plants the Sing the “The Ants Go Draw out a story on 4–5 Playing with play dough Play a rhyming game, where Look for signs of spring. Go today. What made you laugh Seeds.” (Words are on the Marching.” (Words are on small pieces of paper. Help strengthens muscles you choose a word and for a walk and talk about today? back. ) the back. ) your child put the papers needed for writing. Roll then come up with as many what you see. dough into balls, press in proper sequence to tell rhyming words as you can. fingers into the dough, and Point out new grass, birds, first the story. make shapes. Dog, frog, hog, log. flowers, leaf buds.

16 SINGING 17 COUNTING 18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING 21 TALKING 22 SINGING Sing a favorite song. Sing Ask questions about what Look into your Draw a large alphabet. Have Go on an outside scavenger Today is Friday. Talk about Play children’s songs. Sing it fast, sing it slow. Sing it is heavier. library’s your child practice finger hunt. Look for shapes. How the days of the week. What and dance together. loud. Whisper it. Does an orange or a grape summer tracing while you say the many di erent will your family do this weigh more? Is Mom’s jacket or reading letters out loud. shapes can weekend? your jacket heavier? program. you find?

23 COUNTING 24 READING 25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING 28 SINGING 29 COUNTING Draw numbers on the Have your child tell you a story Help your child begin to Set up an obstacle course When reading a book today You: ABCDEFG Count the number of eggs sidewalk with chalk. about pictures they draw. recognize words for a and give your child directions. stop before you get to the Child: HIJKLMNOP in a carton. Explain that 12 few common objects by Run to the park bench. Jump end and ask your child what Continue taking turns to items together is also called 30 READING 31 WRITING labeling them. over the stick. Touch the they think will happen next. finish the alphabet. a dozen. Come up with rhyming Scribble together on sheets Shoe. Table. Door. ground. Come back to me. words throughout the day. of scrap paper. Good readers have a large vocabulary.

Knowing lots of words helps children better understand what they Books to Read read. You can help your children learn lots of words by: • Having plenty of conversations. Take turns talking. It is important this Month for you to ask questions and listen to what your children say in response. • Read together! A lot! • Make connections. Connect what you are reading in books to their Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, lives. “Yes, Grandma has a black cat, too.” ask the librarian for a recommendation. • Repetition. Children often love to read the same book over and over. This is a good thing as repeated readings help build vocabulary. FOR READERS AGES 0 3 ANTS GO MARCHING THE FARMER PLANTS THE SEEDS We Sang You Home Sing to the tune “The Farmer in the Dell” The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah. by Richard Van Camp The Farmer plants the seeds, The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah. The Farmer plants the seeds, (Pretend to plant seeds) Oh No, George! The ants go marching one by one, by Chris Haughton The little one stops to eat a plum. Hi, ho, the dairy-o, And they all go marching down, The farmer plants the seeds. To the ground, to get out, of the rain. The sun comes out to shine… (Make large circle with arms) FOR READERS AGES 3+ BOOM BOOM BOOM The rain begins to fall… Birdsong (Hands flutter up and down) by Julie Flett The seeds begin to grow… (Stand up tall) Two by two. Tie its shoe. The Book Hog The farmer picks the crops… (Pretend to pick crops) Three by three. Climb a tree. by Greg Pizzoli Four by four. Shut the door. We all sit down to eat… (Pretend to eat) Five by five. Take a dive. Six by six. Pick up sticks. Seven by seven. Tie a ribbon. Eight by Eight. Close the gate. Nine by Nine. Check the time. Ten by Ten. Say THE END. JUNE 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING 4 SINGING 5 COUNTING Draw outside with sidewalk Make bubbles outside. Talk Pick out a family snapshot Recite “Little Miss Mu et.” Measure your child’s height chalk. Draw letters and about the bubbles. What or a random picture. Ask (Words are on and mark it here ______. shapes. shape are they? Which way your child to tell you about the back. ) Compare to January’s will they go? Can you catch the picture. Expand on what measurement. your child says to create one? a story

6 READING 7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING 11 COUNTING 12 READING Make a paper bag puppet. Draw the outline of your Play the letter day game. Talk about Summer. What Sing a favorite song. Then Weigh your child and write Read a book about Have the puppet read a child’s hand. Write the date Look for words that begin are your favorite things to sing it again but make up it here ______. How does flowers and plants. book. and have your child “sign” with “S” do in the Summer? How new words. it compare to January? the drawing. like Summer. are Summer and Winter di erent?

13 WRITING 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING 18 READING 19 WRITING In the morning write today’s Play Leap Frog with stu ed Talk about colors. What Recite the nursery rhyme Go for a walk. Pick Go to the library and pick Make a word jar. Each day to-do list. Check things o animals. Explain that the is your favorite color and “Diddle Diddle Dumpling.” something and count how out a book about Summer. write a new word on a slip as you do them. game is called Leap Frog why? Find your favorite (Words are on the back. ) many you see. (Cars, trees, of paper and add it to the jar. because players resemble color as many times as you flowers, clouds, birds, (Use any container—doesn’t frogs leaping through the air. can today. squirrels, etc.). have to be a jar.)

20 PLAYING 21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING 25 WRITING 26 PLAYING Sit on cushions on the floor Ask W questions after Make up a song using Count the number of kisses Look at a magazine Make a book of your Play Red Light Green Light and pretend to be in a boat. reading a book. (Who, What, words that rhyme with dog. you give your child today. together. Explain some of child’s favorite words. Talk (Instructions are on the Sing “Row, Row, Your Boat.” Where, When, Why). the pictures or illustrations. about the words and draw back. ) (Words are on the back. ) Who is your favorite animal on pictures. this page? What happened here?

27 TALKING 28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING Talk about food. What do Have a parade. Put on music Sort items from your While reading a familiar you like to eat? and march around. Pretend grocery bag. book today, pause here and to play instruments. These things go in the pantry. there to allow your child to These go in the refrigerator? How say some of the words. many go in the freezer? One way children learn vocabulary is from listening to stories. Books to Read They listen to understand what is being said, which helps them learn new words. Stories aren’t just found in books. You can tell stories about your day, your memories this Month from growing up, or something about your child’s life. You can also use wordless picture books and make up a story together. With wordless books, you can develop imagination along with language and vocabulary skills. Make it fun! Having fun with words helps your child become more aware of words and eager to learn more. Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, ask the librarian for a recommendation. LITTLE MISS MUFFET DIDDLE DIDDLE DUMPLING Little Miss Mu et Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John, Sat on a tu et, Went to bed with his trousers on; FOR READERS AGES 0 3 One shoe o , and one shoe on, Eating her curds and whey Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Along came a spider Diddle, diddle, dumpling my son John. What Do You See? And sat down beside her By Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle And frightened Miss Mu et away RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT Te Amo, Bebé / Love You Baby One person is the tra ic light. When they say by Stephan Lomp green light everyone can move toward the ROW YOUR BOAT (Text is in English and Spanish) finish line. When they say red light everyone Row, Row, Row, Your Boat must immediately stop. Continues until Gently Down the Stream everyone reaches the finish line. FOR Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily READERS Life is But a Dream AGES 3+ Round Is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blacktail JULY 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING Plan a picnic. Write a list Play ”Big Steps, Little Steps” Talk about today’s weather. of things you will need to outside. Call out which you What should you wear? bring. Check o the list as and your child should use. you locate the items. Big Steps (take big steps); Little Steps (take tiny tiptoe steps)

4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING 7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING Sing a song with movement, Have your child help cook Look at the cover of a book Write a message and tuck Play “Follow the Leader” Use a fruit or vegetable your Play music with a fast like “BINGO.” (Words are on with a recipe. before reading it. Point out it in your child’s shoe. Read outside. Do three things child hasn’t seen before. tempo as you pick up and (reach up high, touch your the back. ) “We will need six eggs. One cup the book’s title, and say it together when your child Talk about how it looks, put away toys. “The name of this book is…” finds it. toes, take a big step) and feels, smells, tastes. of flour,” etc. ask your child to do the same things.

11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING Compare amounts. Vary your voice as you read. Write a message outside Play the letter day game. Take a walk outside. Talk Sing or recite “Mary Had a Use a piece of string to “You have more pieces of apple Use di erent expressions to with chalk. Look for things that begin about all you see. Point out Little Lamb.” (Words are on measure things. What is than I do.” help your child learn about with the first letter of your and name things. the back. ) longer? What is shorter? feelings. child’s name.

18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING 21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING After reading Help your child draw Use water to “paint” on At bedtime talk about where Make a shaker by putting Count how many birds you Print is everywhere. Point a book talk a picture of a summer the sidewalk. Watch it animals sleep at night. dried pasta or beans in an see today. out words wherever you go about your activity. Have your child evaporate. empty container. Shake it today. favorite part. “sign” the picture. while you march and sing.

25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING 28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING 31 PLAYING Ask your child to dictate a Play ‘Riddle Me.” Talk about things you do in Play ‘Echo Me.” Clap, stomp, Create a grocery list with Use your finger to follow Play “I Spy” outside. letter to a special person. “I’m smaller than your hand, I’m the morning, things you do or beat a drum, and have your child. Look at what you along with the words. “I spy something that has three Show how to address an purple, and I’m in the kitchen. in the afternoon, and things your child repeat have and what you need to wheels and is pink. Yes! Your envelope and add a stamp. What am I? Yes! A grape.” you do at night. the noise. purchase. bike.” Then go to mail the letter together. You are your child’s fi rst teacher, and your home is where your child begins to learn. Books to Read Make your home a great place to learn. It doesn’t take money to create special places where you and your child can talk, sing, read, write, play, and count. Here are this Month a few ideas.

PLACES TO READ Create a special space for your children to look at books. Have a comfortable chair or pillows and a small shelf or basket for favorite books. Make sure there’s room for you and your child to sit together and that your child can reach books without needing help. Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, ask the librarian for a recommendation. PLACES TO WRITE Make it easy for your child to write throughout the day. Set up a space where your child can go on his or her own and use writing materials. Provide pencils, crayons, or markers of di erent sizes so your child can write with what is most comfortable. Use unlined paper. FOR READERS AGES 0 3

PLACES TO PLAY Peekaboo Morning Play requires a little space, simple props, and some imagination and encouragement. You by Rachel Isadora don’t need special toys or expensive electronics. Provide props like large boxes, old clothes Little Chickies / Los Pollitos or costumes for dress up, empty food containers, and empty paper towel rolls. Play comes by Susie Jaramillo naturally to young children and is one of the primary ways they learn. Provide plenty of (Text is in English and Spanish) opportunities for your child to play.

B I N G O MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB FOR READERS AGES 3+ There was a farmer who had a dog Mary had a little lamb, Waiting and Bingo was his name-oh. Its fleece was white as snow, by Kevin Henkes B-I-N-G-O, And everywhere that Mary went B-I-N-G-O The lamb was sure to go; They All Saw a Cat It followed her to school one B-I-N-G-O by Brendan Wenzel and Bingo was his name-oh. Which was against the rule, It made the children laugh and play There was a farmer who had a dog To see a lamb in school. and Bingo was his name-oh. (clap)-I-N-G-O, (clap)-I-N-G-O (clap)-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name-oh.

CONTINUE UNTIL ALL THE LETTERS IN BINGO’S NAME ARE REPLACED WITH CLAPS. AUGUST 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING 4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING 7 WRITING Sit outside and write a list Paint on the sidewalk with Make this “same and Make music with things Talk about time. How Read a nonfiction book Label the things in your of seven things you see. water. Watch it evaporate. di erent” day. “How are you have in the house, like long does it take to get to about birds. Talk about child’s room. Bed, dresser, our socks the same and pots, pans, spoons, boxes, Grandma’s house? How what you’ve learned. Say table, book, closet. Point to di erent? They go on our and cups. long does it take to get to the rhyme “If I Were a Bird.” the words and discuss as feet and they are di erent the park? (Words are on the back. ) colors. you put things away.

8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING 11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING 14 PLAYING Play with blocks. What can Take an alphabet walk Sing a bedtime story. Put five stu ed animals Go to the library and check Draw a picture for a Play “What Fits?” you make? Form the blocks outside. Talk about things Encourage your child to in order from smallest to out a new book. grandparent or other very “Will your hat fit under your bed? into a letter shape. that begin with di erent sing with you. largest. important person. Will the refrigerator fit in your letter sounds. pocket?”

15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING 18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING 21 TALKING It’s Library Card Month. Talk Pick a new kind of music Set the table for a meal. Go to the library for a new Use play dough to shape Play the yes-no game Before going to bed talk about what you can do at you haven’t listened to How many plates will you book you haven’t read your child’s first name. about time. Is it time for about things you did this the library. before. Listen together. need? How many utensils? before. The librarian can breakfast? Is it time to morning, this afternoon, Napkins? help you find one. read? Is it time for kisses? and tonight.

22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING 25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING 28 SINGING Sing a “good morning” song Line-up all of the family’s Point out signs everywhere Draw shapes on the Go on a letter hunt today. O er choices today. Sing “The Wheels on the to greet your child in the shoes. Count how many you go today. Explain what sidewalk. Draw a triangle, Pick a letter and call it out Do you want this book or that Bus.” (Words are on the morning. there are. Put them in size they say and how they help. a square, a circle, and a every time you see it. Keep one? Do you want water or milk? back. ) order from smallest to rectangle. Talk about how track of how many you see. Would you like a banana or largest. they are di erent. strawberries?

29 COUNTING 30 READING 31 WRITING Trace around your hand and Have a family story time. Write the names of each around your child’s hand. Each person picks family member with chalk Talk about the di erence a book to on the sidewalk. Stand on in size. read aloud. your name. Children’s reading success in kindergarten and beyond begins with positive language and Books to Read literacy experiences from the time they are infants. this Month • Young children have shorter attention spans. You can do activities for short bits of time throughout the day or whenever you have the chance.

• You can help your children learn in ways and at times that are best for them. Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, • Parents are tremendous role models—if your children see that you think reading is ask the librarian for a recommendation. important and enjoy it, they will follow your lead.

• Children learn best by doing—and they love doing things with YOU! FOR READERS AGES 0 3 Black Bird Yellow Sun by Steve Light WHEELS ON THE BUS IF I WERE A BIRD The wheels on the bus go round and round, If I were a bird, I’d sing a song A Parade of Elephants Round and round, round and round. And fly about the whole day long. by Kevin Henkes The wheels on the bus go round and round, And when the night comes, go to rest, All around the town. Up in my cozy little nest. FOR The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish . . . READERS The driver on the bus says “move on back” . . . AGES 3+ The people on the bus go up and down . . . ¡Vamos! Let’s Go The babies on the bus go “wah, wah, wah” . . . to the Market The parents on the bus go “shh, shh, shh” . . . by Raùl Gonzalez, aka Raùl the Third ADAPTATION: THE HORSE ON THE FARM GOES “NEIGH, NEIGH, NEIGH”; COW, LAMB, PIG, ETC. (Text is in English and Spanish) Good Rosie! by Kate DiCamillo SEPTEMBER 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING 4 SINGING Label things today. Blow bubbles—this Discuss opposites. Show Clap your hands to the beat Chair. Shoe. Door. strengthens muscles examples of big and small. of a favorite song. needed for Light and dark. Night and Tell your child what the speech. day. labels say.

5 COUNTING 6 READING 7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING 11 COUNTING Lace Cheerios onto a piece Read a book or find Write your to-do list Play alphabet search Talk about something your How many ways can you Count how many red cars of yarn and then count information about insects together. Have your child today. Take turns picking a child hasn’t experienced move to the music? Play you see today. Tally up at them. that are active in late check o each as it is letter and searching for it and explain what happens. a favorite song and clap, the end of the day. summer, like crickets or completed. throughout the day. march, spin, and tap. cicadas. Talk about how you can hear them at night.

12 READING 13 WRITING 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING 18 READING Have a friends book club. Pop bubble wrap or play Tape a sheet of contact Make silly sounds today. Sing “Now it’s bath time, Take a walk and count how Visit the library Each friend brings a book with squirt toys to develop paper to the wall, sticky side Encourage your child to now it’s bath time, yes, it many birds or squirrels you and help your for a story time. muscles needed for writing. out. See which toys stick imitate you. is” to the tune of “Frere see. child select and which toys do not. Jacques.” books to check out.

19 WRITING 20 PLAYING 21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING 25 WRITING Use cooked pieces of Go on a scavenger hunt Take turns telling each other Recite a nursery rhyme like Use blocks to measure how Before you start reading Write your child’s first spaghetti to make today. Look for things that simple stories. “Humpty Dumpty.” (Words long something is. How a book look at the cover name. Talk about the first shapes and start with the “p” sound, like are on the back. ) many blocks long is your together and ask your child letter of their name. Make letters. a plate, a pan, and a pen. arm, your foot, etc.? what they think will happen the sound and say words in the book. Discuss. that begin with the letter.

26 PLAYING 27 TALKING 28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING Sing “Scarecrow, Use family photos to tell Recite a nursery rhyme Time how long it takes Relate the story in a Scarecrow” and do all the di erent stories. Encourage like “Hickory Dickory Dock.” to walk one block. Show book to your child’s movements. (Words are on your child to tell a story. (Words are on the back. ) your child the time at the experiences.”Remember the back. ) beginning and at the end. when you saw a red car?” Playing to Learn New Words

Play and have fun with words: Books to Read

• Read a book with lots of made-up words like “How Do You Wokka-Wokka?“ by Elizabeth Bluemle. Many books by Dr. Suess also are excellent for this this Month purpose. Try making up more words to go with the story.

• Silly poems are fun and can teach new vocabulary. Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, • Kids love riddles and jokes, which often use ask the librarian for a recommendation. a “play on words.” Laugh along as you talk about the answer to the riddle or joke.

• Having fun with words helps your child FOR READERS AGES 0 3 become more conscious of words and happy Lola at the Library to keep learning. by Anna McQuinn The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned his ABCs the Hard Way HUMPTY DUMPTY SCARECROW, SCARECROW by Patrick McDonnell Sing to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Little Star” Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. Scarecrow, scarecrow, turn around, FOR All the king’s horses and all the King’s men Scarecrow, scarecrow, touch the ground. READERS Could not put Humpty together again. Stand up tall and blink your eyes. AGES 3+ Raise your hands up to the sky. Now HICKORY DICKORY DOCK Scarecrow, scarecrow, touch your toes. by Antoinette Portis Scarecrow, scarecrow, tap your nose. Hickory Dickory Dock, Let’s Scare Bear The mouse ran up the clock. Swing your arms so very slow, by Yuko Katakawa The clock struck one Now real fast to scare the crows. And down he run. Raise your head, jump up and down. Hickory Dickory Dock Now sit down without a sound. Tick Tock! OCTOBER 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING Start a list of things to do Cut out pictures of food this week. Talk about it and from magazines. Let your decide who will do each. child choose which to use and glue those onto a paper plate.

3 TALKING 4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING 7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING Talk about the weather Sing “good morning” using Count out a healthy snack. Go the library and take out Write a grocery list together. Take a walk outside. Collect Expand on what your child today and what you should the Happy Birthday song. “ “One for you and one for me and a new book. Talk about new Go around checking what colorful leaves. Try to find says. wear outside. Good morning to you, good one for Daddy. Two for you, two words you come across you need and add it to the as many “Yes, we saw a dog at the park. morning to you. Good morning for me, and two for Daddy.” while reading the new book. list. di erent types It was large and brown and to (your child’s name), good as possible. wagging its tail.” morning to you!”

10 SINGING 11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING Take turns singing bits of Trace the hand of each Try to spot letters on license Write your child’s name in Play “I Spy” with rhyming Read a book together. Ask Sing “Five Little Speckled the alphabet song. person in your family. plates today. How many can big letters. Talk about each words. “what” questions. Frogs ” (Words are on the Whose hand is bigger? you see? letter. “I spy with my little eye What is happening here? What back. ) Whose is smaller? something that rhymes with fall. do you think will happen next? What is it? Yes! A ball!”

17 COUNTING 18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING 21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING Pick a point in your house Hold a favorite book upside- Take turns drawing pictures Play “restaurant.” Create a Talk about sounds you like. Sing “If You’re Happy and Count the number of or on your block. Count the down or start reading it and telling about what you menu together. I like the sound of kittens. You Know It” (Words are on pumpkins you see today. steps to backwards. Talk about what draw. Try making the sounds. the back. ) Keep a tally. get there. is “wrong” with the way you are reading the book.

24 READING 25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING 28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING Read a book about Fall. Write a list of words that Play a rhyming riddle game. Smell di erent things and Dance to a fast song and What three things would fit Read a book about rhyme with dog. “What do you see that rhymes talk about them: spices, then dance to a slow song. inside your pumpkin? What Halloween. 31 WRITING with ‘bee’? Yes, a tree!” flowers, fruit, and cocoa. Clap along to both songs. three things won’t fit? Which scents do you like or Make a list of things you dislike? liked most about this month. Parents are tremendous role models.

If your children see that you think reading is important and enjoy it, they will follow Books to Read your lead. When you go to the library, check-out books for you and your children. Put your books somewhere at home where your child can see them. Let your this Month children see you reading. Talk about what you’ve read, even if it is just to say, “That was a good book. I liked reading it.”

FIVE LITTLE IF YOU’RE HAPPY Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, SPECKLED FROGS AND YOU KNOW IT ask the librarian for a recommendation. Five Little speckled frogs If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands Sat on a speckled log (clap, clap) Eating the most delicious bugs If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands FOR READERS AGES 0 3 (clap, clap) YUM! Ten Tiny Babies If you’re happy and you know and you really by Karen Katz One jumped into the pool want to show it Where it was nice and cool If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands Kindness Makes Us Strong Then there were four speckled frogs. (clap, clap) by Sophie Beer Then there were three speckled frogs. Then there were two speckled frogs. REPEAT USING: FOR READERS AGES 3+ If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet! Then there was one speckled frog. Baby Monkey, If you’re happy and you know it shout Hooray! Then there were no speckled frogs. Private Eye If you’re happy and you know it do all three. by Brian Selznick and David Serlin Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwell NOVEMBER 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING 4 SINGING 5 COUNTING 6 READING Create a list of things to Go for a walk after dark. At the end of the day talk Have a family sing-along. Draw numbers 1–10 in big Read a book that won the do this month. Hang it up Pretend you are an explorer. about everything that Each person gets to pick a pu y letters. Help your child Caldecott Medal. The library where everyone can see. Talk about happened. What did you like favorite song. color in each one as you say will help you find one based Have your child check o what you see. best about today? each one. on what your child likes. items as they are completed.

7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING 11 COUNTING 12 READING 13 WRITING Write a message to Play “I Spy” with rhyming In the morning talk about Recite “Rub a Dub Dub.” Make a story box together. Read a fiction and Draw your child’s name in someone important. words. what you will do today. (Words are on the back. ) (Follow the instructions nonfiction book about fall. big pu y letters. Help them “I spy with my little eye What are you especially on the Your library has lots to color in the letters as you something that rhymes with hat. excited to do? back. ) choose from! say each one. Yes, a cat!”

14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING 18 READING 19 WRITING 20 PLAYING Make an indoor fort with Wish upon a star tonight. Sing a favorite rhyming song. Take turns naming things Snuggle together and read Scribble day! Have lots of Take turns naming animals sheets and furniture. Recite “Star Light, Star Stop at the end of a line and that begin with the first two favorite books and papers, markers, crayons and making animal sounds. Pretend you are sleeping Bright.” (Words are on the have your child fill in the letter of your child’s first one new book you haven’t for your child to scribble there overnight. What will back. ) word. (See “Twinkle, Twinkle name. read yet. and draw. you bring? Read a book Little Star” on the back. ) together in the cozy fort.

21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING 25 WRITING 26 PLAYING 27 TALKING Talk about opposites. Reach Play favorite songs. Bounce, See how many cotton balls Read a book about Make a book with your child. Go for a morning walk. Walk Ask your child “What is high to the sky and low to tap, clap to songs with you can fit into a variety of Thanksgiving. Draw letters and pictures to slow. Walk fast. (Toddler your favorite toy?” Have the ground. Take a big step rhythm. di erent-sized containers. tell a story. Tape the pages pace). Repeat. a conversation about the and a little step. “How many can fit in this cup? together. answer. How many can fit in your pocket?”

28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING March to a drum. Use any Make a number path! Read a book about Winter. empty container to act as Write one number on ten pieces a drum, then play the drum of paper. Tape each piece to the and march to the tempo, floor. Recite each number as going from slow to fast. your child walks the path. Listening to nursery rhymes and songs is an early literacy experience that helps children Books to Read understand how language and stories work. Recite rhymes and sing songs with children from the time they are infants. This this Month helps them become aware of and then play with the sounds in the words. Many rhymes tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end. This shows children how stories work and that events happen in a sequence. Good readers understand that stories and books have a beginning, middle, and end. After reciting a rhyme or singing a song ask your child about the song. What happened at the beginning? Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, ask the librarian for a recommendation. What happened at the end?

RUB A DUB DUB TWINKLE, TWINKLE, FOR READERS AGES 0 3 LITTLE STAR Rub a Dub Dub The Going to Bed Book Twinkle, twinkle, little star Three Men in a Tub by Sandra Boynton How I wonder what you are And Who Do You Think They Be? Up above the world so high All the World The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick by Liz Garton Scanlon Maker Like a diamond in the sky Twinkle, twinkle little star And All of the them Out to Sea FOR READERS AGES 3+ How I wonder what you are Stop Bot! MAKE A STORY BOX By James Yang 1. Use a small box and decorate it together. STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT Label it Story Box. The Day the Star light, star bright, 2. Find random pictures with no words to Crayons Quit The first star I see tonight; add to the story box. by Drew Daywalt and I wish I may, I wish I might, Oliver Jeffers 3. At story time each person takes a picture (without peeking) and tells a short story Have the wish I wish tonight. about the picture. Use family snapshots, advertisements from magazines, and other pictures. DECEMBER 2021 Daily literacy-building WWW.PLA.ORG activities to share with your child.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 WRITING 2 PLAYING 3 TALKING 4 SINGING Make a winter card to send Make an indoor fort with Talk about family traditions Change the way you sing a to someone special. Who sheets and furniture. Cuddle you’ll celebrate this month. familiar song. Sing it faster will you send it to? Use a together and Look at photos from or slower. Change up the stamp and post the letter in read favorite previous years and talk words. about things you will do a mailbox. books. again this year.

5 COUNTING 6 READING 7 WRITING 8 PLAYING 9 TALKING 10 SINGING 11 COUNTING Weigh your child and write Read books about di erent Wrap and unwrap blocks Pretend to be an animal that Talk about your feelings. Sing “The Frost Song.” Measure your child’s height it here ______. Compare holidays and how with tin foil. This helps likes cold weather. Who will What made you happy (Words are on the back. ) and mark it here ______. it to January and June. people celebrate strengthen writing muscles you be? today? Compare it to January and them. and manual dexterity. June.

12 READING 13 WRITING 14 PLAYING 15 TALKING 16 SINGING 17 COUNTING 18 READING Read a fiction and Draw a circle, square, Trace a variety of di erent At mealtimes, talk about Recite “Three Little Kittens.” Make a high tower with Be a reading role model. nonfiction book about triangle, and rectangle, and objects on a piece of paper. the food you are preparing, (Words are on the back. ) blocks. How many blocks Let your child see you winter. Your library has have your child color them Match the objects to their what tools you are using, did you use? reading a book, magazine, many to choose from! in. Talk about shapes and shapes. how you are making it, and or newspaper. point them out today. how it will taste.

19 WRITING 20 PLAYING 21 TALKING 22 SINGING 23 COUNTING 24 READING 25 WRITING Have each family member Use play dough or cloud Talk about the seasons: Sing “Cold and Snowy Name three things that are Write letters on strips Pick one color and only use write one thing they liked dough to make a snowman. Winter, Spring, Summer, Morning.” (Words are on the white like snow. of paper, add them to a that to cover a whole page about this week. Have your and Fall. back. ) container and have your child with scribbles and pictures. child decorate the paper. draw one. Use that letter as the letter of the day. Spend the day finding the letter.

26 PLAYING 27 TALKING 28 SINGING 29 COUNTING 30 READING 31 WRITING Go for a short walk after Talk about favorite things Sing nonsense words to a Work together to put a stack Snuggle together and read With your child, write a list dark. What do you see? that happened in 2020. familiar tune. Sha la la. Doo of children’s books in order a book of nursery rhymes. of things you plan What does it feel like bee doo bee do bee do wop from largest to smallest. The library can help you to do in 2022. outside? bop, etc. find one. Your library helps children get ready to read.

• The library has many materials and ideas you can use to talk, sing, read, write, play, Books to Read and count with your child. It doesn’t matter if your child is four days old or four years old, we have books, music, programs, and services to help your child develop this Month language and prereading skills.

• We have books to read together, music to borrow, places where you can write, places to play and learn, and programs for all ages.

Check out these books at the library. If they are not available, THE THREE LITTLE COLD AND SNOWY MORNING ask the librarian for a recommendation. KITTENS Sing to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” The three little kittens, they lost This is the way we put on our This is the way we shovel the their mittens, mittens snow FOR READERS AGES 0 3 And they began to cry, Put on our mittens Shovel the snow “Oh, mother dear, we sadly fear, Put on our mittens Shovel the snow Who? A Celebration of Babies That we have lost our mittens.” This is the way we put on our This the way we shovel the by Robie Harris “You lost your mittens? mittens snow Your poor little kittens. On a cold and snowy morning On a cold and snowy morning Baby Beluga board book Well, let us have some pie. by Raffi Meow, Meow, Meow This the way we put on our This is the way we build a Let us have some pie.” coats snowman Put on our coats Build a snowman FOR READERS AGES 3+ THE FROST SONG Put on our coats Build a snowman Sing to the tune of This is the way we put on our This is the way we build a Stars “The Farmer in the Dell” coats snowman by Mary Lyn Ray The frost is in the air. On a cold and snowy morning On a cold and snowy morning. The frost is in the air. This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen It's wintertime, it's wintertime, This is way we put on our hats The frost is in the air. Put on our hats Put on our hats The frost tells me it’s cold. This is the way we put on our The frost tells me it’s cold. hats It’s wintertime, it’s wintertime, On a cold and snowy morning The frost tells me it’s cold.

SING OTHER VERSES IN WHICH THE FROST IS “ON THE ROOF,” “ON THE WINDOWS,” AND “ON THE GROUND”