September Song

School is in session for students everywhere and football games are in full swing.  The hot muggy days of summer are on their way out, and a jacket feels good on some early mornings and evenings.  Apples are for sale at roadside stands.  Leaves are just beginning to vacate the trees.

Should you have school-age children as well as a preschooler, she may be missing her siblings.  There are lots of simple, easy, fun activities you can do with her to help allay her temporary loneliness.

In a previous wee Note, we were reminded of the ditty, “Ten Little Indians.”  Your little one will find it easy to learn the months of the year when you sing them to her using the tune to that song:

January, February, March, and April,

May, June, July, and August,

September, October, November, December—

These are the months of the year!

If you have been trying to teach colors to your older preschooler, take advantage of the beautifully fresh apples that are so available.  Choose at least one of each color (red, green, yellow).  Talk about the colors.  Ask your wee one to find something that is the same color as each apple.

Place the apples in a paper bag and have her reach in and pick an apple.  Then have her match the apple to the object of the same color.  Be sure to name the color often (yes, you found the red shirt that matches the red apple.).  Repeat with the other apples and objects.  Once she is comfortable matching, you can let her attempt to name the apple color without the help of the object.

To add some music to the activity, try gluing, taping, or drawing a tree on the paper bag (let your child color it).  Then you may sing to the tune of “Clementine.”

Pick an apple, pick an apple,

Pick an apple from our tree.

Is it green, or is it yellow?

Is it red? Oh, can you see?

Should you have trouble getting your little princess to eat fruit or veggies, try this:

Edible Self-Portraits

Ingredients:  Thinly sliced sweet pepper strips, cucumber rounds, cherry tomato slices, sugar snap peas, julienned carrots and salad dressing of your choice in a small cup.  Put these on a paper plate and provide another for your child to create her masterpiece.  She can then dip and eat.  Try the same idea with fruit pieces and fruit-flavored cream cheese.

God bless your parenting efforts.  Happy Parenting!

(Thanks to Mailbox Magazine for help with some of these ideas.)

© 2013 Brenda Holland-Robinson