Teachers can think about ways to help parents as the holiday season approaches. Consider using a December Outreach Calendar for suggestions about family activities. Encourage parents to involve their child in family times and in starting special traditions in the family.
The calendar below is ready to be copied. Plan to mail or give the calendar to parents before the first of December. Think about things you can do to help with the December activities. Some of the ideas could be included with Sunday morning plans.
– Display a non-breakable manger scene in classroom.
– Make Bible markers for Luke 2.
– Provide copies of play dough recipe:
Basic Play Dough Recipe
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 cup water
Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar together. Mix the cooking oil in the water and add to the dry ingredients. Stir with wooden spoon and pour mixture in a nonstick pan. (Ingredients may be mixed in the pan.) Stir constantly until dough pulls away from the sides of pan. This process takes about 3 minutes. Empty dough onto waxed paper. Knead until smooth and cool. Store in a zip-lock bag. (Peppermint flavoring may be added to ingredients for Christmastime play dough.)
Follow the suggestion on December 29 to call someone and say “I love you,” as you call the children in your class. Remember to keep a copy of the calendar at your home. You can imagine the children doing the activities at home.