Back to School: Countdown Calendar
Last spring my daughter’s soon-to-be elementary school hosted a Kindergarten Orientation that mostly amounted to a time to collect health forms and check to see if kids could cut out a teddy bear without help. One great take-away, however, was the First Day of School Countdown Calendar. Much like an Advent calendar, the Countdown Calendar is comprised of 14 flaps counting down the last two weeks before the first day of kindergarten. While each opening of a flap chips away at my breaking heart, Emma has been loving each day, running to the kitchen each morning to peek under a new flap.
All of this excitement has been a little confusing for my three year old, Noah. Not only is he upset by the fact that his big sister is being taken away to kindergarten….without him…but he also does not fully understand that his pre-school will not begin until exactly two weeks after public school is back in session. To alleviate some of his confusion and bring him into the excitement of back to school in a more active way, we created his very own Countdown Calendar using materials we found in our home.
Step 1: Either fold your poster board in half or layer two pieces of construction paper, one on top of the other. (grab a kid helper)
Step 3: Using either a scissors or a crafting knife, cut along the three sides of the shapes you have drawn. This will make the windows for your child to open. If you use a knife, be sure to place a cutting board or thick cardboard underneath your top paper before you begin.
Step 6: Close your calendar using staples, tape or glue. Your project is complete!
Next Monday when Noah and I are walking sadly back to our quiet cul-de-sac, having just watched Emma get on the bus for the first time, I will be thrilled for the fun distraction of watching him open his first flap with the big number fourteen. I have a feeling he will be happy for the distraction as well…