Licensed Home Child Care

It is already December. Where did the year go? Winter will soon be upon us officially (Dec. 22). If there is snow on the ground then please bring in heavy jacket, gloves, boots, snow hat, and a snow suit (highly recommended) so we can play outside. To kick off the winter season we will be discussing three polar animals and where they live. These animals are the polar bear, penguin, and caribou (aka reindeer). We will also be discussing holidays and Christmas around the world. We will be sampling the food they eat, discussing the origin of their holidays, their traditions as well as how these traditions have influenced the American Christmas. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah will be discussed. Also the traditions of Christmas for Germany, Philippines, Great Britain, Mexico, France, Sweden and of course the United States. Fun activities, stories, music, finger plays, flannel boards, cooking, and science will go along with our themes. Since winter is on it’s way we will be spending a couple of days discussing the winter season and hibernation which will be further discussed next month when we learn about forest animals. The letters S and G; the shapes of the star and the square; numbers 4 and 14; and the colors red, green, blue, and white will be introduced. The concepts of same and different; before and after; and science activities around water and ice will also be done.

Friday, December 9th: Christmas Party and Pajama Day. I will put out a sign up sheet the week before. We will watch Polar Express in our pajamas and eat popcorn (we will have cheerios for the little ones). Bring in a new or gently used book costing $5 or less to exchange. Wrap and ONLY label with your child’s name. You can write “To my friend”.

Friday, December 30th: New Year’s celebration - We will have a party with snacks and party horns. We will discuss what it is all about and what we hope for in the new year.

**If you have something to share about one of the above holidays or countries please feel free to bring it in. Ask me and I will tell you what day we are learning about it. Ideas are food, game, activity, object or thing that represents the culture (ex. poinsettia, mini tree, dreidel, Christmas music, Christmas or other holiday movie (rated G only)). Any contribution will be appreciated.**

Things to do with you child: Make a card and/or gift for a family member or friend. Go visit Santa. Go sledding together. As always read together daily. You might want to read about something to do with our themes. Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Hanukkah! Happy New Year!