Skip the navigation and go directly to the content.
Winter is when your program hits its stride. You've gotten to know the children and their families, everyone is settled into routines, you've set goals, and your curriculum is in place. But sometimes you can also slow down in winter or activity planning can seem lackluster. After the busyness of fall transitions, the excitement of holiday activities, plus the arrival of stormy weather, you might just feel like hibernating! But don't fall into a rut. Use the extra indoor time and quiet weeks to focus on extended projects, dig deeper into topics, and work more closely with small groups and individual children. Beat the winter doldrums by jazzing up activities, rotating materials and toys, bringing in some guests to share special interests, and adding some swing with music and movement! Here are some peppy activities from Penn State Better Kid Care to make winter a wonderland of fun!
The Winter Resource explores:
Winter – keeping learning burning
Tip Pages:
Activity Pages:
It's Time to Get Ready / Winter is Coming/Find Your Body Parts / Same and Different
Lunch and Snack Ideas:
Low Fat Snacks and Lunches: YUM!
Distance Education:
Better Kid Care Distance Education Lessons
On Demand Distance Education lessons
- Building Relationships with Children and Youth Who Challenge Us
- Creating Special Moments with Infants and Toddlers
- Space for Playing and Learning in a Family Child Care Home
- Sparking Kids’ Curiosity
- Science for Young Thinkers
- Understand and Support Children’s Physical and Cognitive
Development
- The Art and Science of Playing with Young Children
- Communicating with Children
- Easy Ways to Boost Kids’ Brain Power
- Fighting Children’s Obesity Through Active Play
- Math for Every Age
- Music for the Non-Musical
Articles:
Podcasts:
Family Time/Work Time:
January 2011: Outdoor Play is Important All Year Long
January 2008: Quality Times with Your Kids / Reading Times are Special Times
February 2007: Go Outside and Play
Parent Counts:
March 2008: Science for Young Children
April 2007: Making a Playful Home