best suggestion for Calendar math?

[Momma Aimee]

Calendar Math help.  I need suggestions for Calendar Math -- a work book?  something EASY for momma -- or something -- i am not really creative (blush).  I realize the boys (5 yo esp) don't know the days of the week or anything -- so that is gonna be a part of our agenda for the rest of this spring ... mastering the calendar...

Thanks

Aimee

[Lisa1970]

I inspire the children by letting them pick out a calendar that they like and just do it from there. Making it easy going and fun is so much more effective than a workbook. I also would print off those free online prints of the months so they could write all over them. It was easy to find places to stick in practice. "Mom, how much longer until my birthday?" "Let's see, your birthday is in May, now...what month is it now?" "January" "Ok, yes, you are right, it IS January, I almost forgot. Now let's see, what comes next...." Then we will recite them again and count it out. I act all nice about it, not like I am drilling them. I would also, when we first started, would look at what day it is, and then ask what yesterday is, and then what tomorrow will be, and then recite the whole week. I would do that a little more formally to make sure we got it in daily. I made a list of the days in big print and hung them on the wall near our calendar area.

I hope that helps!

[AAK]

We got calendars from Michaels? or the Dollar Store?  Either way they were $1.  They were pretty cheap, but I bought them because they were ones for the kids to color.  So, at the beginning of the month, Maya colors the picture.  We label special days and hang it up.  We encourage her to look at her calendar and count how many days (or weeks or months) until certain events.  She does know her days and months though -- from a song.  You tube has lots of those songs--find one that works for you.  Sing it, and let your child point to the appropriate "day" column when doing the days of the week.  YOu can also make a list or circle of the months (names) and have your child point to each one during the song.  You might clap on the current day/month while singing.  

Amy