Holiday Fun Monthly Theme

Christmas time is my favorite time—tons of family fun and traditions. We like to bake cookies and watch holiday movies. Since my little one is getting bigger, I think it's time to do some of these things with him. Maybe introduce new things too.

There are several holidays this month, not just Christmas, and I want to do them all.

4th- National Cookie Day

12th-Gingerbread House Day

13th- Cocoa Day

15th- Cupcake Day

18th- National Bake Cookies Day

24th- Christmas Eve

25th- Christmas Day

27th- Make cut out Snowflakes

31st- New Years Eve

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Activities for these Special Days

4th- National Cookie Day- Of course, we'll have some cookies. We got some cookie dough from a fundraiser so for this will count the cookie dough as we put it out on the baking sheet. The 4th is a Monday, so we will probably bake them on Sunday and just have cookies on Monday. works on counting, and following directions. We also have the cookie playset from Melissa and Doug. It will be going in our play area with the other foods from November's store. Works on Counting, following directions, pretend play.

Gingerbread House Day- We picked up some crafts to do. One of which is a Gingerbread house craft. So we will do that on this day. Another idea though is to make a gingerbread house. I see kits all over but you can use gram crackers and candies to make your own little house. You can talk about the parts of the house, roof, window, and door. Here's a Free Printable Gingerbread House from my TPT store too. Works on following directions, and identifying familiar items.

Cocoa Day- Our Play-Doh this month is inspired by this day, we'll have a Hot Cocoa Play-doh. It does use the stove to make and I didn't find one that doesn't. I will probably make this on my own because as much as I like him to help in the kitchen, I don't like it when it's hot. Then we will add white pompoms or cotton balls for our marshmallows, we'll play with cookie cutters and a rolling pin. Besides being a sensory play activity, we can count the "Marshmallows." Works on counting, sensory, pretend play

National Bake Cookies Day- Well of course we're baking cookies. You could always make cookie dough from scratch but the break-apart cookies from the store are so easy for little ones to do. You can count the cookies and they'll be following directions. During the holidays sometimes it's just best to make it easier on yourself. works on following directions, counting,

Make cut out Snowflakes- Christmas will be over so it seems appropriate to make snowflakes and prepare for our January theme (spoiler alert) Winter fun. This can work on cutting skills, but honestly, that's not a skill we'll be working on at 2. That is probably better for 3 or older. I will probably have him color and then I'll cut and we'll hang them up. works on fine motor skills, colors,

New Year's Eve- We will probably be going to an event in our town for kids which is Countdown to Noon. You can have your own Countdown to Noon Celebration. Often in our house New Year's Eve is a night of little snackies and some games. In the past, I've had friends over but since having my little one, we don't make it to Midnight anymore. Now that he's 2. We'll start some new earlier traditions until he realizes it's supposed to be until midnight. When my oldest figured out New Year's was actually past his bedtime, he tried hard to wait up. We watched New York's Countdown and went to bed an hour early. We will practice counting down but only from 5. It's fun to start new traditions or continue on old ones. works on counting, new vocabulary, trying new foods.

Other Activities-

Christmas Chain- We will make a Christmas chain to help count down to Christmas. My little guy's sitter is the one that wanted to do this and I just love it. She'll help him to do it while I'm working and it'll be awesome for working on counting. We also have a Little People Advent calendar and as you know I like repetition, so this is a different item working on the same things. I saw the Playdoh Advent Calendar too and think that's pretty cool. It might be better for a bit older kids, it says 3+. works on counting, repetition, new vocabulary,

Art project- I followed Happy Toddler Play Time and signed up for some sensory bin ideas for Fall and Christmas. I loved this Christmas Bauble Painting art project. It's a painting project but contained in a bin. This is great for Sensory kids who might not like touching the paint or getting messy. It's great for parents that don't like messes too. works on following direction, sensory, colors

Sensory bin- I found this post for Christmas sensory bins from the dollar store. I will be taking pieces from a couple of them to make a sensory bin, but any of them would be great as is. I will take tinsel and little ornaments. I'll honestly see what kinds they have. We can sort them by shape or color. I will have to post the pictures on Instagram. works on colors, shapes, sensory,

Make a treat- I saw this recipe for Chocolate Carmel Pretzel Bites in a list of recipes that can kids do themselves. This is simple enough for a toddler to follow directions, count, and name colors.

We will also probably fill in some days from this calendar of 25 Toddler Activities for Christmas. I'm lucky to have my sitter who is always up for an activity to do with him.

Goals that can worked on this month from the Rosetti

21-24 months 

Uses two-word phrases frequently 

Uses 50 different words 

Uses new words regularly 

Relates personal experiences 

Uses three-words phrases occasionally 

Chooses one object from a group of five upon verbal request 

Follows novel commands 

Follows a two-step related directions 

Understands new words rapidly 

24-27 months 

Imitates two numbers or unrelated words upon request 

Uses three-word phrases frequently 

Asks for assistance with personal needs 

Uses action words 

Understands the concept of one 

Understands size concepts 

27-30 months 

Names one color  

Responds to simple questions  

Understands location phrases 

30-33 months 

Answers questions with "yes" or "no' 

Imitates a series of three numbers or unrelated words 

Uses plurals 

Uses prepositions 

Understand five common action words 

Follow two-step unrelated commands 

Understands the concepts one and all 

Answers yes and no questions correctly 

33-36 months 

Relates recent experiences through verbalization 

Uses verb forms 

Expresses physical states 

Converses in sentences 

Counts to three 

Shows interest in why and how things work 

Follows a three-step unrelated command 

Identifies parts of an object 

Responds to wh- questions 

Follows commands with two familiar attributes