How to Make a Calendar for Preschoolers

Preschool children need physical cues for abstract concepts.

Teaching abstract concepts such as time to preschool children is difficult because their understanding of the world comes via their senses. Preschoolers "... are interested in simple number activities, alphabet play, copying letters, matching/sorting," insists Keep Kids Healthy, a site created by Dr. Vincent Iannelli, fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Creating a calendar with visual cues for upcoming events gives your child a chance to practice these skills while learning to accept delayed rewards. It develops increasing independence as the child learns to check the calendar rather than continually pestering parents for information.

Things You'll Need

• White paper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Magazines or old snapshots
• School glue or glue stick

Instructions

1. 

   White paper has the highest contrast.

   Draw a 7-inch square on a sheet of white paper.

2. Mark two points on the right and left sides of the square, 1/2-inch and 1-inch from the farthest edge of the square from you, for a total of four marked points.

3. 

   The header space is where you write the name of the month.

   Use a pencil and ruler to draw a straight line between the two 1/2-inch marks to make the header space. Repeat to connect the two 1-inch marks.

4. Beginning at the left edge of the square, mark points along the 1-inch line, 1-inch apart. Repeat to mark the edge of the square that is closest to you every 1-inch.

5. Connect each pair of 1-inch points between the closest edge of the square to you and the farthest edge from you. This will create seven equal columns.

6. 

   Some months will have numbers in all six rows.

   Create six rows across the columns, 1-inch apart. This creates a calendar template with 36 squares.

7. Label each column with a day of the week, beginning with Saturday in the far left column and ending with Sunday in the far right column.

8. Number each square of the calendar with the dates for that month.

9. Make one copy of your calendar template to keep in a file and run copies as needed.

10. Brainstorm with your child to decide what events, holidays and appointments need to be on the calender. Find magazine pictures or snapshots that illustrate each calendar event. For example, a tooth or toothbrush might represent an appointment with the dentist. A soccer ball or a pair of dance shoes might indicate after school activities.

11. Glue the pictures in place on the correct date's square. Create a 1- or 2-word label for each picture.

12. Review the calendar with your preschool child every day. Have your child mark a large "X" through each day leading to an event on the calendar. Use the names of the days of the week, yesterday, today, tomorrow, this and next when reviewing the calendar. "When these words are used in context, especially in conjunction with a calendar, it helps make the concept of time more concrete," states early childhood educator Traci Geiser, M.A.

References

• Keep Kids Healthy: Preschooler Time Management
• Education.com: Teaching Preschoolers About Time