Read to the kids during "story time." Select fiction and nonfiction books that improve language and literacy skills. Reading to children helps them formulate predictions, increase their letter knowledge, expands their knowledge of genres, increases their vocabulary and develops their passion for reading.
Gather the children for a sing-a-long. Use music on tape or a CD, or simply have them sing along with you a cappella. Other options include having them recite simple rhymes or chants. Sing-a-longs and repetition help children develop their oral language skills. Buy activity books with sing-a-long songs and ask children questions about the songs they just sang.
Combine art and math by having children make crafts with specific number requirements. For example, have them cut Christmas trees out of construction paper or have them make tiny birthday cakes out of clay. Then have them add a certain number of ornaments or candles to each item. Or have them make more than one and put them in order of the lowest to highest number of ornaments. This helps the children not only develop math skills, but also helps them improve hand/eye coordination.
Divide the room into learning centers. Set up a reading circle, where kids can either open books or have story time. Set up a craft area with glue, construction paper, paints and stickers. In the math area, set up an abacus and number charts. These areas can be used for individual learning and group learning. Dividing the room into sections also helps add structure to your children's day.