T.M. Kayode

Hey there!

This post is all about creating something super special for my amazing daughter, Dabbie. You see, Dabbie is a bundle of energy and curiosity, and she’s been absolutely loving her time at her Montessori-style school for the past year. Now that summer is here, I wanted to come up with something fun and engaging to keep her entertained during the break.

Getting to know Dabbie’s learning interest and style has been the best part of this whole process. She’s got this infectious enthusiasm for learning and a real knack for getting stuck into whatever catches her eye. From building towering block structures to getting lost in her artwork, Dabbie’s always up for an adventure.

So, armed with crayons, crafts, and a whole lot of imagination, I set out to create a summer curriculum that’s tailor-made for Dabbie. It’s all about tapping into Dabbie’s interests, fueling her curiosity, and making sure she has the best summer ever. 

I wanted to make sure Dabbie’s summer was packed with excitement and learning, so I designed the curriculum with a special twist: each week has its own theme! From exploring nature to unleashing creativity through art and music, there’s something new and exciting to discover every week. Plus, I made sure to include a mix of activities covering everything from practical life skills to sensorial exploration, language and literacy, math and numeracy, and even a splash of culture. And you know what’s even cooler? I’ve got a whole list of supplies ready to go for each activity, so we’ll have everything we need to dive right in. Oh, and did I mention the evaluation strategies? Yep, we’ll be keeping track of Dabbie’s progress and engagement every step of the way, making sure she’s having a blast and soaking up all the knowledge like a sponge! 

Take a look at a preview of the curriculum below, I have also made the full 12 weeks curriculum downloadable below.

Week 1: All About Me

Activities:

1. Practical Life: Setting up a personal grooming station where the child can practice brushing teeth, combing hair, and washing hands independently.
2. Sensorial Exploration: Exploring different textures and materials through a “touch and feel” game.
3. Language and Literacy: Reading and discussing books about emotions and feelings, and encouraging the child to express their emotions through drawing or storytelling.
4. Math and Numeracy: Counting and sorting personal items like socks, toys, or snacks into groups.
5. Culture: Learning about family traditions and creating a simple family tree.

Supplies Needed:

• Personal grooming items (toothbrush, comb, hand soap)
• Various textured materials (fabric scraps, sandpaper, cotton balls)
• Books about emotions and feelings
• Drawing materials (paper, crayons, markers)
• Personal items for sorting (socks, toys, snacks)
• Paper or poster board for family tree

Evaluation Strategies:

• Observe the child’s independence and confidence in completing personal tasks.
• Assess the child’s ability to differentiate between textures and express their preferences.
• Engage in discussions about emotions and feelings to evaluate language comprehension and expression.
• Monitor the child’s counting and sorting skills during math activities.
• Discuss family traditions and observe the child’s participation and understanding.

Week 2: Exploring Nature

Activities:

1. Practical Life: Gardening activities such as planting seeds, watering plants, and harvesting vegetables.
2. Sensorial Exploration: Going on nature walks to observe and collect items like leaves, rocks, and flowers.
3. Language and Literacy: Reading books about nature and animals, and encouraging the child to describe their nature discoveries.
4. Math and Numeracy: Counting and sorting natural objects collected during nature walks.
5. Culture: Learning about different animals and their habitats.

Supplies Needed:

• Gardening tools (small shovel, watering can)
• Nature exploration kit (magnifying glass, binoculars)
• Books about nature and animals
• Collection bag or basket for nature walks
• Counting materials (small containers for sorting, paper for tallying)
• Pictures or books about animals and habitats

Evaluation Strategies:

• Observe the child’s engagement and participation in gardening activities.
• Assess the child’s ability to observe and describe natural objects during nature walks.
• Encourage the child to share their nature experiences and vocabulary related to plants and animals.
• Monitor counting and sorting skills during math activities with natural objects.
• Discuss different animal habitats and observe the child’s interest and understanding.

Week 3: Creative Expression

Activities:

1. Practical Life: Setting up an art station with various art materials for the child to explore independently.
2. Sensorial Exploration: Creating sensory art using materials like paint, clay, and natural items.
3. Language and Literacy: Reading and acting out stories, and encouraging the child to create their own stories through drawing or storytelling.
4. Math and Numeracy: Exploring shapes and patterns through art activities like collage or pattern making.
5. Culture: Introducing different art styles and artists from around the world.

Supplies Needed:

• Art materials (paint, brushes, clay, markers, paper)
• Sensory art materials (leaves, flowers, feathers, textured paper)
• Storybooks for reading and acting out
• Drawing materials (paper, crayons, markers)
• Shape cutouts or stencils for math activities
• Pictures or books about art styles and artists

Evaluation Strategies:

• Observe the child’s creativity and exploration with art materials.
• Assess sensory integration and fine motor skills during sensory art activities.
• Engage in discussions about stories and observe the child’s comprehension and storytelling skills.
• Monitor the child’s ability to identify shapes and create patterns during math activities.
• Introduce different art styles and artists and discuss the child’s interests and preferences.