Learning Through the Seasons

By Iris Katers

With grandparents (baby boomers age 45-63) caring for 34% of young children, 'Learning Through the Seasons' helps parents, grandparents, and other caregivers make a real difference in the lives of children they love while making their own lives less stressful. Why? Because they learn to create and manage productive fun and learning activities that keep active children interested and involved.
A recent educational study compared children entering kindergarten in 2008 with those in the 1950’s. Children now have ONE HALF the vocabulary of those 1950’s children and that statistic is continuing through middle school. (High school was not studied.)

Fortunately, caregivers of preschool children can turn this around by doing these simple 'Learning Through the Seasons' activities using materials found around the home and community to increase interaction between adults and children. Each activity is carefully designed to increase vocabulary development so important for reading and school success.

Grandparents Teach, Too, a non profit organization is supported (not financially) by the Northern Michigan University Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship, the NMU School of Education, and the Upper Peninsula (of Michigan) Children’s Museum , the Upper Peninsula of Michigan chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Upper Peninsula Of Michigan chapter of Parenting Awareness of Michigan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Iris Katers
• Release date: Mar 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9780615608747

Book preview

Learning Through The Seasons

By Iris Katers, Esther Macalady, Cheryl Anderegg, Jean Hetrick, and Tim Fox

Illustrated by Mark Nowicki

Cover Design by Josh Counter

© 2010 Grandparents Teach, Too

Smashwords Edition

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to

Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Learning Through the Seasons

Activities to Prepare Young Children for Success in School and a Lifetime of Learning

- An activity guide based on national standards to prepare young children for success in school and a lifetime of learning

- Written for grandparents, parents, teachers, and other caregivers using common materials in the home and community

ISBN: 978-0-615-620874-7

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010903564

Published by Grandparents Teach, Too

Marquette, Michigan 49855

By Iris Katers, Esther Macalady, Cheryl Anderegg, Jean Hetrick, and Tim Fox

Illustrated by Mark Nowicki; Cover Design by Josh Counter

Printing collaboration by Avery Color Studios, Inc., ebook edition by Babette Welch

No portion of this publication may be reproduced, reprinted or

otherwise copied for distribution purposes without written permission of the publisher.

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Dedication

Iris, Esther, Cheryl, Jean, and Tim wish to dedicate Learning Through the Seasons and all projects of Grandparents Teach, Too to our supportive families, students, and colleagues who have helped us on this journey.

We especially thank Dr. Tawni Ferrarini, Cohodas Chair and Director of the Northern Michigan University Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship; Nheena Weyer Ittner, Director of the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum; and Dr. Rodney Clarken, Associate Dean for Teacher Education and Director of School of Education, Northern Michigan University Marquette, Michigan.

We would also like to thank Jane Milkie Professor of Graphic Communication at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan; Jim Reeves and Bud Sargent of The Mining Journal; and Claudia Eliason and Loa Jenkins for their comprehensive and inspirational book for teachers of young children, A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Curriculum (2008).

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Introduction

Learning Through the Seasons is an activity guide for grandparents, parents, teachers, and other caregivers of young children. Each activity is based on national and international education standards for young children, but written for adults of every background. Each activity uses materials easily found in the home and community that make learning fun for young children and their loving adults.

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How to Use this book

Read Learning Through the Seasons to learn what skills young children can develop by interacting with you during playtime every day. Find some ideas you would like to try with your child. Soon these activities will become a part of your daily routine. You will find new opportunities to combine fun and learning wherever you look.

You will notice that the activities in Learning Through the Seasons focus on the following:

Reading together daily.

Conversing throughout the day.

Developing skills to become readers, writers, and mathematicians.

Nurturing curiosity and skills in science, economics, geography, and history.

Getting along and helping others.

Learning to solve problems.

Enjoying art, music, and physical activity.

Inspiring creativity.

Being creative, curious, observant, and organized.

Making decisions.

Being self confident and respectful.

Learning where to find information.

Developing healthy eating and exercise habits.

Being a helpful and responsible family and community member.

Being eager to learn more.

Only you can create an environment in your home where young children will develop the skills and habits to ensure interest and success in school.

Helpful Tips for Raising Your Young Learners

Read together every day.

Have many opportunities for children to draw, cut, and color.

Restrict TV, video, and computer time.

Have give-and-take conversations often.

Listen to and sing all kinds of music.

Have books available for quiet times.

Provide opportunities for vigorous exercise.

Provide fruit and vegetable at meals and snacks time.

Encourage independence when appropriate.

Visit the library and various museums often.

Take every opportunity to instill self confidence.

Gently help—never push.

Playtime gives children opportunities to understand the world. It is an important vehicle for children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Children learn best in a community where they are safe, valued, their physical needs are met, and they are psychologically secure. - Abraham Maslow

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Table of Contents

Winter

1. How Do Children Understand New Ideas and Words?

2. Making a Simple Birdfeeder

3. Holiday Fun and Learning in the Kitchen

4. Fun in the Snow

5. Indoor Active Games

6. Having a Ball With Gravity

7. Music and Movement

8. More Music and Movement

Spring

9. Science Walks

10. Learning to Help Others

11. Weather Observation

12. Rainy Day Project: Mixing Colors

13. Eye Catching Ground Level Birdbaths

14. Gardening For Fun and Good Eating

Summer

15.WaterPlay

16. Keeping Your Child Happy and Learning in the Car

17. Enjoying picture books

18.PicnicFunandLearning

19. Teaching Economics Problem Solving

20. Learning about Summer Butterflies and Moths

21. Fireworks on Paper

22. Where in the World Do I Live?

23. POP! Bubbles are for Fun and Learning

24. Science Fun and Learning with Spider Webs

25.FunandExercise

26. Sandbox Geography and History.

Fall

27. A Wonderful Day with Apples

28.FunwithHomemadeMasks

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29.ScienceandExercise

30. Graphing Halloween Candy

31. Pumpkin Poetry

32. Thanksgiving Celebrations

33.FamilyTreewithLittleHands

Anytime Activities

34. Science and Planting Bulbs

35. Homemade Play Dough and Changing Activities Without a Fuss

36. How Do Children Become