| Follow the Calendar | | | | little more about the history of America and |
| | | | explore the good things in their lives that |
| When planning a preschool curriculum, most | | | | they have to give thanks for. |
| instructors like to use the calendar year and | | | | |
| its occurrences as their basic structural | | | | December is the beginning of winter for some, |
| component. This keeps the curriculum | | | | and it is also the beginning of a busy |
| relevant and current which helps to further | | | | holiday season that includes Christmas, |
| reinforce the lessons in the children's young | | | | Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. This is a great |
| minds, since it wouldn't really make much | | | | opportunity to incorporate a theme of |
| sense to learn about Halloween at Easter or | | | | multiculturalism into the preschool |
| vice versa. | | | | curriculum. |
| | | | |
| Generally speaking, one theme or unit should | | | | With the beginning of a New Year, the focus |
| last for one week or two at the most. At | | | | of the curriculum can be on change and New |
| this young age, children respond well to | | | | Year's resolutions. Also, the theme of |
| repetition, which is why many instructors | | | | winter can continue to be explored through |
| follow a basic template for each week with | | | | sports, the weather, and snow. An apt theme |
| activities specific to each day of the week. | | | | for the month of February is love, seeing as |
| As children master this system, they'll learn | | | | Valentine's Day falls right in the middle of |
| how to anticipate the activities of each day, | | | | the month. |
| which will help to strengthen their sense of | | | | |
| logical reasoning and deduction. | | | | As the season change, a unit on spring can be |
| | | | introduced, with focus on plants and flowers. |
| September through June | | | | Finally, as the year draws to a close, the |
| | | | focus is on the season of summer, which can |
| In September, many educators like to start | | | | include a unit on plans for the summer time |
| off with the "All about Me" section, which | | | | such as going to the beach or taking a |
| will allows the children to not only explore | | | | vacation. |
| themselves and their own personalities, but | | | | |
| also a chance to meet and learn about their | | | | But what about March or May? |
| peers. This is also an excellent time in the | | | | |
| curriculum to introduce a unit on family or | | | | When there's a lull in the calendar, it gives |
| pets. | | | | instructors an opportunity to be a little |
| | | | more creative with their preschool |
| The most celebrated holiday in the month of | | | | curriculum. Remember, the sky is pretty much |
| October is also a favorite of many children: | | | | the limit with their young minds, and the |
| Halloween. This is a great time to introduce | | | | emphasis should always be on fun and play |
| units on the season of fall, nature, and | | | | first before traditional learning. Some |
| healthy eating since children will be | | | | instructors like to take suggestions from the |
| receiving large amounts of candy. | | | | children on what themes they'd like to |
| | | | explore, which helps children feel more a |
| Next comes November which coincides with | | | | part of the process. |
| Thanksgiving, where children can learn a | | | | |