Preschool Ideas Christmas or Hanukkah alphabet book.  Fold 14 pieces of paper in half to make a book.  Staple.  Write the letters of the alphabet on each page.  Give your child Christmas books to look through and find pictures that start with each letter.  Draw the picture and write the word (with help) on the appropriate letter’s page. ... [read more ]

Making your own jigsaw puzzle is a fun way to incorporate math (visual-spacial skills) and art.  Jigsaw puzzles involve lots of kid fun — drawing, coloring, pasting and cutting. (And, save your recycled cereal boxes this week because you’re going to need them.) Observe something about fall or Halloween.  Look out the window, look around... [read more ]

Twas the night after Halloween . . . are you ready for the Halloween Fairy aka Candy Fairy? This Halloween Fairy delivers gifts to children.  But . . . you must trade almost all, not all, of your Halloween candy to receive the gift.  The Halloween fairy is generous so she’ll let you eat _________ pieces.  (To be determined by the Halloween... [read more ]

UPDATED 10/13/09 with reader comments Have a Happy Bookish Halloween.  Dress up as your favorite book character!  Here are some literary costume ideas from the best children’s picture and chapter books . . . Little Red Riding Hood Cat in the Hat Madeline Harry Potter Fancy Nancy Junie B. Jones Max, Where the Wild Things Are Coraline Clifford,... [read more ]