April is when snow is melting (hopefully), and the sun is starting to feel a little stronger. All this water and sun are great for nature. I promise you, your child is noticing every second of it. In our Year One Curriculum, April is a time to focus on trees, planting seeds, and learning about Springtime. Let’s dig into it! (Pun intended)
There are all different types of trees.
Take some time to learn about the ones growing around your home and neighborhood.
Even if your child cannot talk, they are listening and learning. Tell them all about what you see and what those trees do (grow pinecones, flowers, the size of their leaves). Take some quiet time to just look at them. Although kids do not understand, I love to tell them about photosynthesis and osmosis. I will absolutely say those words a few times when telling them and encourage talkers to try them out. Why not? Set that foundation. Sharing with them that trees make their own food with help from the sun is cool! Trees don’t need someone making them food in the kitchen. Telling them about roots underground that they cannot see will fascinate them. Telling them that those roots suck up the water for the tree like a straw- minds will be blown!
Remember, everything is new to them. You already know so much about this world-teach them!
*Place a picture of my tree matching game that I haven’t made yet- here*
Another great way to discuss Spring is to start planting things.
I do not have a green thumb, but plenty of plants are already planted that you can purchase at a store. If you have a garden, get out there and get dirty with them. If they are still small, bring them out, and let them watch you. Let them know what you are doing in the garden and why. Where I live, there is a working farm open to the public. Year-round, they offer a “pick-your-own” option where you are able to go out and pick from their fields. A little bit of work for a huge impact- worth it.
There are even toys that simulate gardening that you can offer your child. There are so many options! My April materials list has a lot of them. Click the pictures to go to each list.
I chose this month to discuss RESPECT. I include these “Ways of Being” for each month to give you a chance to teach your child this skill and to remind their adults to look at how you are showing it.
They watch you and will notice how you treat others. They also observe how you treat them.
Some ways you can teach respect is to show them how we treat living things- animals, plants, family members, friends, etc.- we use gentle hands, are helpful, are kind, and take turns. Show them how to water the plants, save a bug from getting squished (they have a job to do, too!), and show them how to share a toy or take turns with a friend. Alternatively, when you have a guest over, they can help you model how to respect that person. Help them to ask the person if they would like a glass of water and let them help to get it. If you have pets, give them opportunities to feed, bathe, or play gently with them.
Easter is celebrated during this time of year. You have your own beliefs and traditions surrounding this holiday. You would be doing your child and your family a disservice if you didn’t take this time to teach them. This is one of your reasons for saying “yes” to doing Preschool Together. Explain your beliefs, show them how you honor the day, and invite them to be part of setting up or taking part in the celebration. In classrooms, we don’t get the choice to choose a religion to celebrate on this day. As a whole, and to not upset anyone, I have always celebrated with egg hunts, egg-themed activities, and celebrating the arrival of Spring! There are always a lot of pastels and a lot of fun.
Egg hunts are the easiest activity a child will want to do a million times (just don’t forget where you hide them).
One way to change up a traditional egg hunt is to grab an egg carton and place a sticker or color the bottom where each egg would go in the carton. Have a plastic egg that matches each color, then hide the eggs. Help your child build confidence by finding each egg that matches the color. You can say, “it looks like you still need to find a green one,” pointing to the empty spot in the egg carton that is labeled green. Or, make sure you know the colors of the eggs and verbally ask them to find each color “can you find only a yellow one?” or “can you bring back 2 blue ones?”. I can turn anything into a learning opportunity. You will get the hang of it. I promise.
