Early Learning Calendar: January 2026

You Know More about Your Child than Anyone

You have been your child's teacher from the day he or she was born, and you are in the best position to help your child get ready to read. Whether your child is four days old or four
years old, it is not too early or too late to help him or her develop pre-reading skills. You can help your child learn language and other literacy skills with simple and fun activities like those in this calendar.

Printed calendars are available at every Alameda County Library location.

Daily Activities for January 2026

1. Thursday - Writing
   Draw the numbers 2026 and color them with your child. Talk about the upcoming year.
2. Friday - Playing
   Play "Riddle Me." Take turns offering riddles.
   I'm white and fluffy and float in the sky. I can be gray when it rains. What am I? Yes! Clouds!
3. Saturday - Talking
   Tell your child about winter weather and how cold it can be in some places.
   Is your area cold or mild? Share your favorite thing about winter.
4. Sunday - Singing
   Play or sing a song your child is familiar with and act it out while you are singing or while it is playing.
5. Monday - Counting
   Weigh your child and write it down.
   Save the number in your calendar app or in a notebook and measure again in June.
6. Tuesday - Reading
   Compare the covers of two books and take turns guessing what each is about.
7. Wednesday - Writing
   With your child, write down (and talk about) important dates on a 2026 calendar.
8. Thursday - Playing
   Create an obstacle course and give your child directions.
   Go around the chair, go over the book, pick up the spoon, turn around, and come back.
9. Friday - Talking
   Talk about colors. Ask your child what their favorite color is and share what your favorite color is.
   Talk about things that are those colors.
10. Saturday - Singing
    Play a favorite song and have a silly dance contest.
11. Sunday - Counting
    Measure your child's height and write it down.
    Save the number in your calendar app or in a notebook and measure again in June.
12. Monday - Reading
    Use your finger to follow along with the words in the book as you read to your child today.
13. Tuesday - Writing
    Write down these questions and help your child answer them. Then decorate the page.
    My name is _______.
    I am ___ years old .
14. Wednesday - Playing
    Play "Follow the Leader." Do things and ask your child to do the same.
    Touch your head, Turn around, Sit down, Stand up again!
15. Thursday - Talking
    Talk about food.
    Which food do you each think is the most delicious? What do you want to eat for dinner?
16. Friday - Singing
    Sing or say "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
17. Saturday - Counting
    Sing or say "Five Little Snowmen."
18. Sunday - Reading
    Be a reading role model. Let your child see you reading a book or magazine.
19. Monday - Writing
    Write these questions down and help your child answer them. Then decorate the page.
    My favorite color is _______.
    My favorite animal is _______ .
20. Tuesday - Playing
    Go on a scavenger hunt.
    Look for things that begin with T. Toys, trees, toes.
21. Wednesday - Talking
    Describe a favorite snack using look, smell, feel, sound, and taste words.
22. Thursday - Singing
    Make up silly songs about everyday activities.
    This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth, to make them very clean!
23. Friday - Counting
    Count snacks.
    How many crackers are there?
24. Saturday - Reading
    Read a book about winter.
25. Sunday - Writing
    Take turns using your finger to draw shapes in the air and guessing what the shape is.
    Circle, square, triangle, heart, diamond, etc.
26. Monday - Playing
    Play "I Spy." Give the first letter of an object as a clue.
    I spy with my little eye something that begins with… D.
    Yes, dish!
27. Tuesday - Talking
    Give your child choices.
    Would you rather wear your white shirt or your purple shirt? Would you rather play with the ball or the blocks?
28. Wednesday - Singing
    Sing or say "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush."
29. Thursday - Counting
    Measure your feet day! Line up all the family’s shoes and boots.
    Whose are the biggest? The smallest?
30. Friday - Reading
    Choose a letter of the day.
    Point out the letter wherever you see it today.
31. Saturday - Writing
    Draw large letters on a sheet of paper.
    Give your child some clay and have them roll it out to trace the letters.

Songs and Rhymes

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are

Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush

Sing the chorus:
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush;
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
On a cold and frosty morning.

Action verses:
Pick an action and sing “This is the way
we [action]…” while doing the motion.

Example Actions:

• wash our hands
• brush our teeth
• button our coats
• put on boots
• tie our scarves
• shovel snow

Five Little Snowmen

Five little snowmen standing in a row,
(Hold up five fingers)

Each had a hat and a big red bow.
(Put hands on head and then neck)

Out came the sun and stayed all day,
(Circle arms overhead)

And one little snowman melted away.
(Slump down)

Repeat with 4, 3, 2, 1, until no snowmen are left.

Books to Read This Month

Bundle Up, Little Pup

Hello Day