Winter Calendar Numbers for Preschoolers
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These free Winter Calendar Numbers are a good way to start getting into the holiday mood and invite your preschoolers to practice their math skills, such as number identification, counting, and one-to-one correspondence.
You can get your own set at the bottom of this post.
Winter Calendar Numbers
I love creating printables to change the theme or décor in my preschool classroom, especially when I can use them for teaching.
One of the activities that I always liked to start the day with, and I encourage my teachers to do it as well, is using the calendar numbers, not just to review the calendar during circle time but also for different math activities.
Now, before you can use them, you have to get them ready.
How to Prepare the Winter Calendar Numbers
Since this is a simple printable, you don’t need much to prepare it. These are the materials you need:
- Free winter calendar numbers printable (found it at the end of this post).
- Printer.
- White cardstock.
- Laminator and laminator pouches.
- Calendar pocket chart (optional).
First, grab your free copy of the winter calendar numbers at the end of this post, print them using white cardstock, and cut each individual number card. Once you do it, laminate the cards for durability and introduce them to your preschoolers.
How to Use the Winter Calendar Numbers
You can do several things with these cards. The first obvious one is to use them in the calendar. I like to use a calendar pocket chart to make it easy for the children to manipulate the cards.
Other activities your children can do are:
Sequencing
Invite the children to arrange the winter card numbers in ascending and/or descending order. It might be a good idea to do this as a large group activity first. Once the children know what to do, they can repeat the process during center time as a small group activity.
There are many important skills that children practice in sequencing activities. The most important ones are:
- Recognize, copy, and create patterns.
- How to put objects or events in order.
- Make predictions about what might happen next.
- Understand order words like first, second, next, and last.
- Learn the parts of a story, like the beginning, middle, and end.
- Make sense of numbers and understand stories.
- Retell stories and events in a logical order.
- Understand and follow daily routines that he/she might be doing at home or in the classroom.
- Recognize when an activity or task is finished.
One-to-One Correspondence
Your preschoolers can use these cards to practice this skill by matching each of the number cards with the appropriate numbers of small manipulatives. They can use clear or blue glass gems, white or blue Play-Doh, winter mini erasers, and mini snowflakes.
This type of activities will help your children develop their important math skills like:
- Number sense.
- Learn the names of the numbers.
- Understand numbers.
- Communicate number concepts better.
Sensory Table or Tray
Another way to use these cards is as prompts for your winter-themed sensory table or tray. You must fill your sensory table or tray with fake snow or Kosher salt and add small manipulatives such as winter animals, gems, snowflakes, mini pinecones, and the winter calendar number cards.
Once you put it together, invite the children to select a card and match it with the same small items.
Sensory activities are an entertaining way to entice the children to explore independently and develop important skills such as:
- Fine motor.
- Problem-solving.
- Creativity.
- Language and communication.
Matching
These winter calendar numbers can be matched to different number cards. This simple activity will help your children understand the concepts of being similar or different and improve them:
- Concentration and memory.
- Visual discrimination.
- Pattern recognition.
- Language and communication.
Memory Game
Even when it might sound crazy, I promise you it can be done. You need to print out two sets of number cards, turn the cards face down in rows and columns, and then invite a couple of your preschoolers to play.
Each student will take turns trying to find a pair by turning only two cards at a time. If the cards don’t match, they have to turn them back and remember where they saw them in case they find the matching card later on. When all the matching pairs are found, the child with the most pairs wins the game!
A memory game develops important skills needed to recognize letters, numbers, and patterns, such as:
- Concentration.
- Memory.
- One-to-one correspondence.
- Visual discrimination is also needed to recognize letters, numbers, and patterns.
Pin It For Later
If you are in a rush and don’t have time to read the post and download the printable but want to save it, pin it to your Math and/or Winter board on Pinterest for later.
These FREE winter number cards are available to download immediately after you submit your information below. If you’re already a friend, you will not be added twice. If you’re not a friend yet, you’ll receive the winter calendar numbers as a welcome gift.
I hope you enjoy this free activity and help your preschoolers have educational fun this winter.
Be happy, safe, and creative. I wish you well.
Love,
P.D. Please let me know if you like any of these ideas worked for you, or if you think I need to add or replace something. My goal is to help you in any way I can.
