January Preschool Themes

January Preschool Themes

January is a time of new beginnings. A new year starts. Nature is resting during the winter. Your preschoolers start back to school after the excitement of holiday break. These January preschool themes can help you have a great start to the next part of your learning year.

January Preschool Themes curriculum

WINTER/SNOW

January is a great time to think and explore winter. This January theme is also a good connection between December and January, making easier transitions after the winter break. You could repeat some activities from the previous month and introduce new ones.
Winter Fine Motor Scissor Skills For Preschool
Winter Bingo
Winter Songs for Preschoolers
Winter Books
Winter Tree Fine Motor Exploration
Snowy Day Sensory Writing Tray
Snow Play Dough
Snowflakes Scissors Practice
Snowflakes Subitizing Activity
Winter Glitter Snowflakes
Activities for “A Snowy Day”
Winter Drawing Activity
Winter Science Activities
Mitten Visual Discrimination
Snowman Sensory Bottle
Snowman Play Dough
Snowman Sensory Bin
Snowmen at Night: Coffee Filter Art
Banana Snowman
Snowman Art: Painting with Circles
The Ultimate Winter Lesson Plan Bundle

BEARS

Winter seems like a natural time to think about bears. Most bears are hiberating in the winter. Some bears are out in the snow. This would also be a good theme in January to use as you study the Goldilocks fairy tale. These activities could get you started on a bear theme. (See the hibernation theme below for related ideas.)
Bears Theme Activities
Going on a Bear Hunt Snack
Bear More or Less Activity
Bear and Hibernation Books for Preschoolers
Counting on Bear Paws
Activities for Going on a Bear Hunt
Bear Phonological Awareness Activity
Polar Bear Activities
Goldilocks and the Three Bears Bundle
Goldilocks Mini Word Wall
Bears and Hibernation Books
Hibernating Animals Literacy Activities
Hibernating Animals Math Activities
Letter Hunt Early Literacy Activity for Preschool

ANIMALS IN WINTER

Bears are not the only animals who hibernate in the winter. And other animals are active in the cold weather season. All preschoolers love to learn more about animals, so this January preschool theme may be just what your kids will enjoy.
Hibernation Habitat Process Art
Hibernation Book and Literacy Activity
Groundhog Activities
Over and Under the Snow Building Activity
The Snowy Nap: Literacy Activity
Penguin Activities
Penguin Counting Game
Books About Penguins

Preschool Curriculum Themes Winter

SEASONS/CALENDAR

January is a natural time to talk about the calendar, the seasons, and a new year. Time is a difficult concept for many preschoolers to grasp. Use these activities as you think about the beginning of a new year.
Geoboard Seasons Task Cards
Books About the Seasons
Books About Trees
Activities Exploring the Four Seasons
New Year Celebration Activities
New Year Counting Memory Game
Animal Life Cycle Books
What’s the Weather? Dramatic Play Dress-Up
Make and Use a Linear Calendar
Linear Calendar Kit
Seasons Pattern Blocks Bundle

LUNAR/CHINESE NEW YEAR

The Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year) occurs near the beginning of the calendar new year. You could explore a different culture’s traditions as a theme with your class.
Books About Lunar/Chinese New Year
Celebrating Lunar (Chinese) New Year
Ideas for Lunar/Chinese New Year
Dramatic Play Chinese Restaurant

NURSERY RHYMES

Learning nursery rhymes helps build literacy skills and builds preschoolers’ sensitivity to language, rhythm, and rhyme. Here are some ideas that will help you spotlight nursery rhymes or build more learning with them.
Best Nursery Rhyme Songs for Preschool Children
Dish and Spoon Painting
Nursery Rhyme Number Game
Nursery Rhyme Activities for Preschoolers
Nursery Rhyme Bundle
Nursery Rhyme Fluency Sticks
Muffin Man Tossing Game
Nursery Rhyme Four Corners Game
Jack Be Nimble Gross Motor Activity
Humpty Dumpty Letter Crack
Jack and Jill Free Printables
Little Boy Blue Activities
Three Little Kittens Activities
Hickory Dickory Dock Activities
Itsy Bitsy Spider Literacy and Math Activities
Little Bo Peep Math and Literacy Activities
Muffin Man Math and Literacy Activities
Row Your Boat Math and Literacy Activities

Baa Baa Black Sheep Literacy and Math Activities
Hey Diddle Diddle Math and Literacy Activities
Mary Had a Little Lamb Literacy and Math Activities

Need more theme ideas? Check out our theme list.
Curriculum Themes