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All About Me & My Family. Build routines, learn names and feelings, and make learning feel safe and fun. This is Month 1 of our free 12-month preschool curriculum for ages 3 to 5. Below you will find a weekly lesson plan, the letters and math to practice, science and art ideas, a supplies list, and easy ways to make it simpler or harder for your child.
- Month 1 of 12
- Ages 3–5 (best fit: 4–5)
- 4 weekly topics
- About 20–30 minutes a day
What Your Child Will Learn in Month 1
- New letters
- Letters in your child’s name, plus Aa, Mm, Ss
- Language & literacy
- Spot their own name in print, practice the first letter of it, and talk about the day in full sentences.
- Math
- Count objects up to 5, sort by color, and play “same and different” matching games.
- Science & discovery
- Five senses: touch, smell, taste, see, and hear.
- Social & emotional
- Name feelings (happy, sad, mad, scared) and follow a simple daily routine.
- Art & music
- Mirror self-portrait and a silly “name song.”
- Movement & hands
- Balance walk on a taped line. Squeeze, roll, and pinch playdough to build hand strength.
These goals match the five learning areas in the Head Start framework. Core goals are for most children. Anything marked stretch is optional. See the full list of learning areas and the typical milestones for ages 4 and 5.
Month 1 Weekly Lesson Plan
Do one short activity from each column, three or four days a week. Keep each one to about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop when your child loses interest.
| Week & topic | Letters & language | Math | Science | Art, music & movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1: My name and my body | Find the first letter of their name on a card and trace it with a finger. | Count body parts: eyes, ears, fingers, and toes. | Look in a mirror and describe hair, eyes, and smile. | Draw a self-portrait while looking in the mirror. |
| Week 2: My family | Tell a short story about a family photo, one sentence at a time. | Count family members and sort photos into kids and grown-ups. | Mystery bag: guess hidden objects by touch. | Make a family collage and sing a family song. |
| Week 3: My feelings | Learn three feeling words and match each one to a face drawing. | Sort feeling cards into happy, sad, and mad piles and count each pile. | Smell jars: sniff safe scents like cinnamon and lemon and describe them. | Dance to fast music, then slow music, and talk about how each feels. |
| Week 4: My friends and our daily routine | Make a picture schedule and talk about what comes first, next, and last. | Match socks or shoes and decide same or different. | Taste test: try something sweet, salty, and sour in small bites. | Play Follow the Leader and learn a clean-up song. |
Not sure how to fit this into your day? Use the sample daily rhythm.
Letters to Practice This Month
Letters in your child’s name, plus Aa, Mm, Ss.
Play with letters through games, not drills: find them on signs and cereal boxes, trace them in sand or salt, and say the first sound of everyday objects. Knowing some letters is a typical milestone at age 5, so there is no pressure to master every letter.
Words to Use All Month
Use these words in everyday conversation and while you read. Hearing a word in many settings helps it stick.
- name
- family
- feelings
- friend
- rule
- routine
- same
- different
Supplies Checklist
Everything here is common household stuff. Tick items off as you gather them.
Easy Activities to Try at Home
Try this
- Mystery bag: hide a familiar object in a bag. Your child feels it and guesses what it is.
- Feelings faces: draw four faces. Each morning your child points to how they feel today.
- Family collage: glue photos on paper and talk about who lives at home and what each person does.
Read together
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Check your local library. Ask the librarian for more all about me & my family books.
Make It Easier or Harder
If your child needs more support
Focus on just the first letter of their name and two feeling words. Use real photos instead of drawings.
If your child is ready for more
Ask your child to write the first letter of their name and tell a three-sentence story about their family.
Parent tip: Make the first month about routines, not results. A calm, predictable day matters more than finishing every activity.
Month check-in: Your child can say their first name, find it among other words, and name two or three feelings.
Month 1 Preschool Curriculum FAQs
How do I teach my preschooler to recognize their name?
Write it in big capital letters on a card, then in lowercase. Let your child trace it with a finger, spot it on a cup or cubby, and find it among two or three other names. Keep each practice to a few minutes.
What if my child gets upset when we start a new routine?
Start with one small routine, like a 10-minute morning circle, and do it at the same time every day. A picture schedule helps your child know what comes next. Praise effort, and give extra time to adjust.
How many feelings should my preschooler know?
Start with four basics: happy, sad, mad, and scared. Add words like proud, excited, and frustrated as your child gets comfortable.
All 12 Months
Add Free Printables to Month 1
Match this month’s lessons with free printables and coloring pages.
Sources
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five
- NAEYC: Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- CDC: Milestones by 4 Years
- CDC: Milestones by 5 Years
This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice and does not replace a developmental screening or guidance from your child’s doctor or teacher.