On the first school day of each month, start a preschool calendar counting activity for daily practice. Point at the number 1 on the calendar. Lead your preschoolers in counting aloud, pointing to subsequent numbers until you reach the current date. At first, the activity takes just seconds to complete. As the month progresses and the count takes longer, counting the numbers will last close to a minute. The activity provides children daily practice counting numbers in order, out loud, while looking at each number as it's spoken.
Pull the card with the name of the current month printed on it from its slot on the calendar.. Attach a 2-inch strip of magnetic tape to the back of the card. Bring a a set of magnetic alphabet letters to your calendar area. Find inexpensive sets of plastic, magnetic letters at dollar stores or where toys are sold. During preschool calendar time, place the card bearing the month's name on the chalkboard. Choose a child to select magnetic letters that match those in the name of the month. Ask him to place the letters in proper order on the board, beneath the word. If your classroom chalkboard is not magnetic, present the activity on a metal cookie sheet. Repeat the activity periodically, each month so all preschool class members get a chance to match the letters.
Use the preschool calendar as a number-recognition teaching tool. Present the activity to students during morning circle time or when you have extra minutes between other planned activities. Choose a number on the calendar. Point to it, then ask preschoolers call out the name of the number. Point to more numbers in random order, asking the class to name each one. To add variety, have the children whisper or sing the numbers. Occasionally, choose a child to lead the class in the activity.
Pick simple activities for preschoolers to do on specific days of the week. Each morning in circle time, name the month, date and day of the week. Teach the children that if it's Monday, everyone should clap and snap when you point to the word "Monday" on the preschool calendar. On Tuesday, snort like a pig if the name of the day pointed out. Whistle after pointing to the word "Wednesday." Choose silly sounds or gestures for the rest of the weekdays. Preschoolers will look forward to making the sound of the day and increase their awareness of the days of the week.