THE NUMBER 12
TWELVE ART
PAINTING EGG CARTONS
 Cut the tops off cardboard egg cartons, leaving just the twelve egg-cup sections.
Set out several different colors of tempera paint and paintbrushes.
Give each of your children one of the topless egg cartons.
First, have them turn their egg carton up-side-down and count the number of egg cups.
Finally, let them paint their egg carton, however they wish.
When the paint is dry, arrange the egg cups, on a wall or use them as a boarder around a bulletin board or door.
 
BUILD A PICTURE
 Set out small craft sticks, heavy paper and some glue.
Have each of your children select a sheet of heavy paper and twelve craft sticks.
Tell your children to glue the craft sticks to their papers, however they wish, to make an interesting picture or design.
When the glue is dry, set out some marking pens and encourage them to add details to their pictures.

TWELVE GAMES
EGG HUNT
 Set out two egg cartons and 24 plastic eggs.
Choose two children to hide their eyes.
Ask the rest of your children to hide the eggs around the room or yard in plain sight.
Then give the two children the two egg cartons and have each child find twelve eggs to fit in their egg carton.
Repeat the game until everyone has had a turn collecting eggs.
 
MARCHING BAND
 Collect twelve different instruments.
Pass out the instruments to twelve children.
Have the children with the instruments play them and march around the room while the rest of your children sing the following song to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”.
                   We’re a marching band.
                   Watch us march around.
                   We have twelve instruments.
                   Each with a different sound.
                                                   Jean Warren
Repeat until each child has had a chance to play an instrument and march in the band around the room.
 
TWELVE SCIENCE
 
EGG CARTON PLANTERS
For each of your children, remove the lid from an egg carton.
Set out some potting soil, marigold seeds and spoons.
Let your children fill their egg cups with the soil.
Set out some seeds and have your children plant 12 seeds, one in each cup.
Finally, show them how to add a teaspoon of water to each cup.
Place the egg cartons in a sunny spot in your room.
Have children check on their planter each day and water again if dry.
Once the marigolds sprout and grow into small plants, let the children take them home to plant outdoors.
 
MONTHS OF THE YEAR
Explain to your children that there are twelve months in each year.
Make a long line chart with the numbers from 1 to 12.
Ask your children to name their birthday months if they can.
Write each month they name on the chart under the appropriate number.
Then fill in any months missed.
Say the twelve months together.
Then, lay the chart on the floor and let your children take turns writing their name under the month of their birthday.
Hang the chart in your room for your children to look at.
Refer to the chart as the year progresses and the months change.
 

TWELVE SNACKS
EGG CARTON SNACKS
 Collect a clean, 12-cup egg carton for each of your children.
Set out a variety of snack foods.
Give each child an egg carton.
Have them put a snack food in each cup of their egg carton.
Let the children sit down and enjoy their egg-carton snacks.
 

TWELVE MUSIC
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
 Sing the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
Make picture cards to help your children remember each item sung about.
 
THE TWELVE DAYS OF SPRING
 Have your children help you make up a song about 12 things their mother could give to them.
Variation: Make up 12 day songs about the other four seasons.

 
 

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