Koala Coach

It's exciting to discover what is hidden deep inside the stocking hanging over the fireplace. In addition to the thoughtful gifts you are filling your child's stocking with, add in easy, stress-free learning treasures. No need to buy ANYTHING, just toss in a few numbered playing cards, or some magnetic alphabet letters! As your child mines through the stocking to discover gifts, a moment of learning will also be discovered. When your child pulls out the numbered playing card or the alphabet letter, exclaim, "You found the secret learning treasure...", and  then proceed to ask one question that correlates to the card or letter picked and the skill you want your child to review. For example, if you placed the six of diamonds in the stocking between gifts and candy; you can say: "Wow, you found the secret learning treasure, what is 6 + 6?" Or, "Can you count to six?" Or, "What is 6 x 6 =?" Or, "Can you think of an equation that makes a six? The possibilities for a moment of learning are endless. Just one question is needed, for one moment in between wrapping paper, presents and Christmas joy. See below for many more ideas for a moment of Christmas stocking learning.

Sample Stocking Stuffer Learning Questions For All Ages and Skills: 

MATH: Toss  1-3 numbered playing cards into the Christmas stocking. When the card is discovered ask a question that correlates with the number and the skill you want your child to review.

Preschool - When the numbered playing card is pulled out of the stocking, ask your child to count to the number on the card. Or, ask your child to identify the number on the card. Or, ask your child what number comes right after the one that is on the card.

Lower Elementary - When the numbered playing card is pulled out of the stocking, ask your child to come up with an equation that equals the number on the card. For example, if the number is '7', you could encourage your child to think about '5+2' or 3+4. Or, ask your child what 10 plus the number on the card equals. Or, ask your child to add up all of the cards in the stocking together.

Upper Elementary - When the numbered playing card is pulled out of the stocking, ask your child to multiply the numbers on two different cards together. Or, ask your child the name the factors, or multiples of the number on the card. Or, figure out if the number on the card is a prime or composite number. 

READING: Toss 1-3 magnetic alphabet letters, or letters that you draw on a note card into the Christmas Stocking. When the letter is discovered, ask a question that correlates to the letter and the skill you want your child to review.

Preschool - When the alphabet letter is pulled out of the Christmas stocking, ask your child to identify the letter. Or, ask your child to identify the sound of that letter. Or, ask your child to think of a word that starts with that letter. Or, if you want a challenge, ask your child to think of a word that ends with the letter on the card.

 Elementary - When the alphabet letter is pulled out of the Christmas stocking, ask your child to spell out a word that starts with that letter. Or, ask your child to identify an adjective or a noun that starts with the letter on the card. 

Even just a moment of learning in the midst of a joyous occasion will reinforce a skill, and reinforce that learning is fun! 

 Do you want three more stress-free Christmas Learning activities?