Welcome to January in The Home Play Curriculum!
New here? This month’s plan is one piece of our homeschool preschool curriculum guide, which shows how each month’s themes fit into a full year of learning at home.
This month is all about exploring primary colors through play, with a strong emphasis on sensory experiences and art-based invitations that feel natural, joyful, and developmentally meaningful.
You’ll learn how children truly understand color over time, not through drills or flashcards, but through hands-on play, repetition, and real-life experiences. ZERO TO THREE’s overview of play at 12 to 24 months backs this up: at this age, real learning happens through the senses, movement, and repetition. Inside this month’s masterclass, I guide you through the 5 simple steps to teaching colors through play, using everyday routines, outdoor moments, and sensory setups that fit seamlessly into your day.
Throughout January, you’ll find low-prep activities that invite your child to experiment, mix, notice, and express color in their own way, building early cognitive skills, creativity, and confidence without pressure.
This month is not about “getting colors right.”
It’s about creating the foundation for learning through exploration and trusting the process of play.
📥 Download the Printable January Curriculum
Make play easy this winter! Get your free guide with 10 simple activities, a weekly rhythm, and links to all the videos.
✨ Use it on your phone, tablet, or computer to access all clickable activities — or print it as a planning tool to stay organized and calm through the month.
🎓 Parent Masterclass: How To Teach Colors
Teaching colors is often one of the first learning goals families think about, but it works best when introduced through play. In this masterclass, you’ll learn how to start with primary colors and gently expand as your child grows, using everyday routines, art, outdoor moments, and sensory play. We’ll also cover what color learning typically looks like developmentally, so you can support your child with confidence and without pressure.
Download the free companion guide:
🎵 Circle Time with Alexa: All About Colors
Join us for Circle Time all about colors! In this video, we’ll explore the magic of colors through playful songs, questions, and movement that help toddlers notice, name, and celebrate the colors all around them. 🌈
✋ 10 Easy Activities to Explore This Month
These activities were designed to support your toddler’s growth in a simple way.
✨ Our Simple Play Weekly Flow
A gentle rhythm that helps you make the most of the 10 monthly activities — no strict schedule, just a simple guide to keep play easy and consistent.
➡️ Monday: Sensory Play + Outdoor Walk
➡️ Wednesday: Art or Science Exploration + Storytime
➡️ Friday: Repeat a favorite or try a bonus activity
💡 Use this rhythm to bring calm, connection, and creativity into your week — not pressure. Repeating activities is encouraged! Toddlers learn best that way.
🗓️ January Weekly Activity Breakdown
💻 Click any activity below to access the instructional video, blog post, or printable.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
BONUS
🧠 New to this curriculum?
Each month gives you sensory activities, a parent masterclass, a circle-time video, and a gentle weekly rhythm — jump in anywhere.
If you’d like a quick orientation first, I made a 10-minute foundation guide on how kids learn and what to expect developmentally. 👉 Watch the foundation guide →