Teaching Months of the Year With Songs and Activities

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As your preschooler becomes more aware of the world around them, they can start to get a basic understanding of time and how it passes. The months of the year, while somewhat difficult to get their head around in terms of time, are fairly easy to memorize because there are only 12 of them.

Through a variety of songs, activities, and simple memorization, you can teach your preschooler the months of the year. As the year goes on, and the months are emphasized, your preschooler will begin to better understand how they work and how everything falls into place.

Try a Calendar

Even if your preschooler isn't reading just yet, they can still begin to understand how a calendar functions and eventually recognize the names of the months.

Flip through the pages, pointing out the names of the different months. Talk about how there are 12 months in an entire year and how a year starts in January and ends in December, then starts over again. Point out favorite days and holidays in each month and pay special attention to your little one's birthday so they have events to relate to each month. 

Consider printing out or making your own calendar with your preschooler. Let them decorate each page as you talk about the name of the month and the important days that fall during it.

Use the Seasons

Your preschooler is probably starting to become aware of seasons, whether they notice a change in the weather or the different activities that take place at certain times of the year. When teaching the months, talk about the four seasons and how they happen during the same months each year. 

To help them make this connection, break out your photo albums (or your smartphone) and show your preschooler pictures of your friends and family in action during the various months. Call their attention to the particular season and the month in which it falls.

Be Vocal

By simply telling your preschooler what month it is every so often, they'll pick up on it and start to learn. If you are reviewing the days of the week, be sure to mention the month as well. 

Try to remember to go over the months each time you turn the calendar page. Say something like, "Today is February 1st—it's a new month! During February we celebrate Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day." Point out those days on the calendar and explain what happens on each holiday. If there are any other special days during the month, be sure to mention those, too.

Months of the Year Songs

Learning the concept behind the months of the year is as important as memorizing the names of each month. Kids love to learn by singing songs because it doesn't feel like learning.

Songs are fun ways to reinforce your lessons and because they repeat the names, they also help with memorization.

"Oh My Darling, Clementine" is the tune you will use for this fun song. It does a lot to help them remember that there are 12 months.

There are 12 months, there are 12 months,
There are 12 months in the year.
There are 12 months, there are 12 months,
There are 12 months in the year.
January, February, March, and April
May, June, and July,
August, September,
October, November,
after December, start again!

You will sing these words to the tune of "Three Blind Mice," a song that every preschooler loves.

January, February, March,
April, May, June,
July, August, September,
October, November, December.
These are the 12 months of the year.
Now sing them together so we can all hear.
How many months are there in a year?
Twelve months in a year.

This one may be a little trickier because it's sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Yet, if your little one likes to play soldier or march while banging on a toy drum then it's perfect.

January, February
March, April, May
June, July, and August
Septembers on its way.
October and November and Decembers at the end,
Then we start all over again (repeat)

A Word From Verywell

Songs, games, and special events can really help your preschooler learn the concept of time, including the months of the year. Play along and see how often you can incorporate these little lessons into your daily routines. You just may be surprised at how fast they pick it up.

By Amanda Rock
Amanda Rock, mom of three, has spent more than a decade of her professional career writing and editing for parents and children.