Overview
Once a preschooler hits age 3 or 4, they can start to understand and learn the days of the week. This can be tricky at first because many preschoolers still don’t understand the concept of time. However, once they get the hang of it, it is really simple memorization practice. By using songs, activities, and even your family’s schedule, your preschooler will learn the days of the week before you know it.
Incorporate Family Life
Simply by being part of a family, your preschooler probably understands that there is a routine in place and different days to do different things. For instance, there are some days when you go to work, days when they go to school, and the weekends may be less structured, but busy with other activities. You can use this to your advantage.
Use a Calendar
Even if your preschooler isn’t reading, they can still begin to understand how a calendar functions. Eventually, they’ll also recognize the names of the days when looking at the calendar. Point out the days on your family’s calendar and explain which activities they have on what days. Talk about how there are five weekday days and two weekend days. If you have regularly scheduled events on certain days (school, dance, swimming lessons, etc.), show where they fall during the week and how the days are related to each other.
Days of the Week Songs
While understanding the concept of the days of the week is important, so is memorizing the names of the days. Singing a song that names each day and repeats it is a great way to reinforce the lesson. Here are a few songs you can try. This first song is sung to the tune of “The Addams Family” theme song, so it’s both catchy and interactive fun. Days of the Week! (snap, snap)Days of the Week! (snap, snap)Days of the Week! Days of the Week! Days of the Week! Days of the Week! (snap, snap)There’s Sunday and there’s Monday,There’s Tuesday and there’s Wednesday,There’s Thursday and there’s Friday,And then there’s Saturday!Days of the Week! (snap, snap)Days of the Week! (snap, snap)Days of the Week! Days of the Week! Days of the Week! Days of the Week! (snap, snap) You might need to refresh your memory about this one, but a quick search online will help you remember “Oh My Darling, Clementine!” Use that tune for the following song. There are seven days, there are seven days,There are seven days in the week.There are seven days, there are seven days,There are seven days in the week.Sunday, Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday, Friday, Saturday!Sunday, Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday, Friday, Saturday! A familiar one for any preschooler, this simple song goes to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Sunday, Monday, Tuesday too.Wednesday, Thursday just for you.Friday, Saturday that’s the end.Now let’s say those days again!Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday! Sung to the tune of “Frère Jacques,” the following song is perfect for quick memorization. These are all thedays of the wee-eek,Sing with me,Sing with me.Sunday, Monday, TuesdayWednesday, Thursday, FridaySaturdayA day to play. Also sung to the tune of “Frère Jacques,” your preschooler may enjoy learning from this song as well. It also poses a question at the end, which will help them put the days in context. Every weekhas seven days,See how manyyou can say!Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,Saturday.What’s today?
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
As you are teaching your child about the days of the week, it’s also a good idea to introduce the concept of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. To reinforce this idea, you could say something like, “Yesterday you went to Jordan’s house. Today we are going to the park. Tomorrow you will go to the doctor.” Be sure to name activities that are singular in nature so your preschooler doesn’t get confused. For instance, if they go to preschool five days a week, using that in this concept wouldn’t necessarily work.
A Word From Verywell
It’s rather easy to incorporate this lesson into your family’s everyday life. Use simple experiences and activities that your preschooler can relate to and get excited about and he’ll learn much faster than you expect.
