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Monthly Activities Page - January 2026

Daily Activities -  January 2026

Monthly activities' calendar in English: (Click to Download)

Los atividades del mes en español: (Clic para descargar)

New Year Resolutions

Resolutions kids can visualize - Resolutions are about goal setting & continuous improvement seeking BUT it is important that we exercise tolerance & respect for the process & not be overly focused on perfection. Praise, encouragement, positive thinking & reiterating the importance of the lessons learned through the process of attempting change are essential. Encourage discussion & reflective opportunities! Consider modeling journal writing to catalogue the emotional, social, physical, personal, mental & overall experience. Celebrate growth & recognize pitfalls.

Monthly Theme - Hibernation

Lifelong Growth & Development

Promoting appropriate whole child growth & development opportunities for individual needs & all life stages is important for overall wellness 

Reading & Writing Connection

Sticker Snowperson Adventure Story 

These may look like simple stickers, but they are tools for a fun family activity & will help foster imaginative thinking! Help your child to use these stickers to create a snowperson adventure! Ask your child to place the stickers on the snowperson to create a unique character for a winter story!

 Explain that a character is a person, animal, creature that says or does something in a story.  Engage in conversation with your child about what the snowperson might say.  Ask what the snowperson’s name should be? What might a snowperson do? What might it be like to spend the day with a snowperson?  What might your child do with the snowperson? 

Place the assembled snowperson on a sheet of paper. Have your child decorate the sheet of paper with cotton balls, tissue paper, glue, glitter & other items to create a setting for the snowperson’s adventure.  Explain that the setting is where & when a story happens.  Ask your child to create a story about the snowperson s/he created.  Have them talk about the adventure then, write a caption!  Snap a picture to capture the memories & consider posting a blog for a chance to win a special prize!

Request a complementary set of sticker snowperson stickers to be sent to your home by completing this form:

Recommended Reading for January

Reading together & incorporating literacy into your daily life & routines is important for bonding, developing language, expanding vocabulary & fostering empathy

Holidays & Celebrations in January 2026

NEW YEAR'S DAY ("Western New Year")

In the United Staes of America & for most people in the Western Hemisphere, one year ends on December 31st (New Year's Eve) & a new year begins on January 1st.  January 1st if officially celebrated as New Year's Day each year in the United States of America.  Not all cultures end and start their years in the same way.  This is why some people from Asian countries or Muslim families may refer to this celebration on January 1st as "Western" New Year.

The ending of one year & the start of a new year is celebrated at different times & in different ways by people of different religions, cultures, & countries.  

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DAY ("MLK DAY")

In 2026, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be celebrated on January 19th.  Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15th which means the holiday is celebrated near his birthday each year.  The date of the holiday varies as it is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year.  MLK Day is a day where Americans celebrate civil rights, perseverance, & the equality of all people regardless of skin color, national origin, religion, or any other potentially divisive characteristic.  

https://www.weareteachers.com/martin-luther-king-timeline/?fbclid=IwdGRleAPPfL5leHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqyvIB7PYynNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7jCB2Wikk5dKkmWDIMBFpfRO6CTMjiHnSEkcflZjS5GRqERr9EQ6q3Gy3SbA_aem_03cx1b6XYGPOPSSh4pKMrQ&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=120237952831450634&utm_content=120237953153430634&utm_term=120237953153420634&utm_campaign=120237952831450634

Items Recommended by Maestra Casiano for Exploring the Life & Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

Arts & Crafts for January

The visual arts are important for exploring creative expression as well as developing hand-eye coordination, dexterity, tenacity, & executive functioning skills

Crafts Recommended by Maestra Casiano for Celebrating Winter Holidays:

Have a Laugh

Music & Dance Inspiration for January

Fostering whole child development involves incorporating kinesthetics, rhythm, musical intelligence, & creative expression through performing arts into daily lives

Kid Friendly Culinary Creations to Try in January

Cooking & baking together is great for family bonding while providing real life opportunities to explore math concepts such as fractions, measurements, & proportions; practice reading & writing recipes using specialized vocabulary & sequencing words; and developing gastronomical awareness 

https://unpeeledjournal.com/11-patriotic-inauguration-day-recipes/

S.T.E.A.M. Exploration for January

Explore key concepts from science, technology, engineering, art, & math using items from around the house. 

https://thinkhealth.priorityhealth.com/indoor-activities-to-keep-the-kids-active-and-engaged-on-snow-days/?

Downloadable Packets & Worksheets for January 

To access the printable activity/packet, click on the image for that packet.  These are downloadable PDF, WORD or PowerPoint files.  

For Kids in Preschool through Kindergarten:

For Kids in Lower Elementary Grades (1-2):

For Kids in Upper Elementary Grades (3-5):

For Kids in Middle School Grades (6-8):

Tips for a Successful School Year

(especially transitioning back to school routines after holiday breaks)

Career Exploration - President of the U.S.A.

It is never too early to start talking about your child's interests, strengths, curiosity, & options for the future

Executive Functioning for Families

Executive Functioning (EF) is basically the brain's management system.  EF is a set of mental skills including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control that are used daily to learn, work, and manage daily life.

Trouble with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, among other things.

Social-Emotional Development

Social & emotional development, especially in early childhood, provides a critically important foundation for children in developing & learning throughout their lives.  
     Social development refers to the ability to initiate, create, foster, & sustain meaningful relationships with adults & peers.
     Emotional development refers to the ability to express, recognize, interpret, & manage one's emotions & the ability to respond appropriately to others' emotions.

Journaling Can Be a Highly Effective Way of Identifying, Addressing, & Regulating Emotions:

Family Fun Night Suggestion 

Connecting with Hot Coco

Sale!

Teeny Tinies - Hot Cocoa Cart Set (for Barbie sized dolls)

US$18.99 US$8.88

Hot Cocoa Cart Set (for Barbie sized dolls) by Teeny Tinies!

Mini toys, big fun! This tiny hot cocoa cart set is packed with accessories for role playing & imaginative play. This cool play set is filled with fun & realistic toy food & accessories.  

Make precious pretend treats powered by your imagination. Items are perfect size for Barbie, Glam Squad & other similarly sized dolls.

Collect them all:
•Barbecue Grill (BBQ) Set
•Barista Cart Set
•Cinema Popcorn Stand Set
•Greek Food Set
•Guac & Roll Foodie Truck Set
•Grillin' & Chillin' Foodie Truck Set
•High Tea Set
•Krusty Krap Set(Spongebob)
•Picnic Party Set
•Retro Diner Set
•Sashimi Rollin' Foodie Truck Set
•Kitchenette Set
•Vending Machine - Drinks Set
•Vending Machine - Snacks Set
•Spongebob Squarepants - Krusty Krab Set
•Strawberry Shortcake - Bake Set
•Self Checkout Set
•Fun Sweets Cotton Candy Cart Set
•Dessert Display Set
•Watch Party Set
•Gamer Essentials Set
•Hot Cocoa Cart Set
•Pastry Shop
•Sweet Shop
•Nostalgic Pack Your Lunch
•Candy Shop
•Farmer's Market

This is a 20-piece play set perfectly sized for Barbie!

ages: 6+ (choking hazard)

Check out other mini play sets like this & other Barbie sized accessories for awesome pretend play (Click Here)!

+ See details

Family Movie Night Suggestion for January

"Our Friend Martin" video:

This video is about one hour long. It is a "magical" animation where kids travel back in time & meet Martin Luther King, Jr. 

  • Before watching the video, discuss with your children/family what they already know or think they know about Martin Luther King, Jr. 
  • Watch the video together & discuss. Discuss any emotional responses that you or the children experience & why that emotion has developed. 
  • After watching the video, identify any of the facts that the movie confirmed.   
  • Ask your children if they would want to be able to travel back in time to meet Martin Luther King, Jr. like the kids in the movie did. Then ask them to explain their answer as to why or why they would not want to travel back in time to meet Martin Luther King, Jr. 
  • Ask your child to imagine they could travel back in time to meet any person in history. Who would they choose to meet & why?  What would they do together? Is there anything your child would ask that person? What answer would they expect to received & why? Have your child draw a picture of that person & write a caption about why your child would want to meet that person.  
  • For added fun, as a family, do some additional fact checking about Martin Luther King, Jr. using the books and/or videos suggested by Maestra Casiano or your own preferred appropriate website. Discuss your findings.  Were any new interesting facts learned?

Featured Items for January

Here Are Some Fun Items to Explore Different Hobbies This Winter: