Christmas Preschool Unit Study Activities
Ideas for Teaching Toddlers Xmas Holidays Themed Pre-K Lesson Plans
Dec 5, 2008
One of the favorite parts of winter for many children is the Christmas holiday season. Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees, mistletoe, stockings, snowmen, poinsettias, shopping for presents, and giving gifts are all symbols and icons that can be used to encourage young children to learn.
Christmas Math Idea for Toddlers
See a sample math lesson that is easily adapted to using Christmas themed objects such as cotton-ball "snowballs". Another Christmas math lesson idea involves beginning to teach preschoolers the concepts of money, subtraction and simple counting exercises. Wrap several boxes like gift packages and label each one with a price amount, one to three dollars at the most. Give each child some fake money dollar bills and allow them to make "purchases". This classroom Christmas shopping trip is a great way to introduce real life mathematics concepts that children can build upon later in life.
Christmas Music Idea for Toddlers
Christmas is a great season for music! Christmas carols have a very full and rich history and children should become familiar with several Christmas songs throughout their school experience. One of the easiest Christmas songs for children to learn at an early age is "Jingle Bells".
The upbeat tune, steady tempo, and repetition make "Jingle Bells" a great choice for preschoolers to learn. Give the children some bells, and let them keep a steady beat with their musical instruments, during the chorus:
Jingle bells; Jingle bells; Jingle all the way/ Oh! What fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Hey! (repeat)
Christmas Science Idea for Preschoolers
Christmas lights are an important and popular decoration during the holiday season, which presents the perfect chance to discuss lights, darkness and electricity with the preschoolers. Teachers can discuss how electricity makes lives easier and have the children list items used in the classroom that rely on electricity. Parents can encourage preschoolers to keep a list or draw pictures throughout the day and everything used that requires electricity.
Christmas Art Lesson for Toddlers
A Christmas wreath is a classic Christmas decoration icon and can be made easily in the classroom or home situation. Children can be given green squares of paper to cut or tear into "holly leaves" for the wreath. The adults should cut the center out of a paper plate to create a wreath form on which preschoolers can glue their green leaves. Decorate with a few red holly berries and the kids will have a wreath to hang on the classroom door or walls.
Christmas Food Idea for Preschoolers
It was traditional to give spiced wine or mulled cider to singer traveling house to house caroling. Toddlers can duplicate this holiday cheer with some warm, spiced apple cider during snack time.
Outdoor Christmas Activities for Toddlers
Preschoolers can enjoy a fun Christmas tree decorating session by hanging bird seed ornaments for the wildlife outside. Pinecones smeared with peanut butter and dipped in bird seed can be tied to pre-cut tree branches by the children. Grown-ups then place the food-laden branches on a tall tree near the window for the preschoolers to observe. Birds will enjoy these winter treats and children will think it fun to decorate an outdoor Christmas tree!
Christmas Themed Indoor Games
Decorating a gingerbread house is a classic, indoor activity for young children. Preschoolers will love having some creative say in what candy pieces go where. Even young toddlers can make a messy smear of frosting on the gingerbread pieces, or dump sprinkles on a pre-frosted design.
See more Preschool Season Unit Studies.
