Linear Calendars for Preschool

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Have you heard of a linear calendar? A linear calendar is an amazing way to introduce preschoolers to calendars! It displays the calendar numbers in a straight line instead of a monthly grid. It can have space above or below the number cards to add cards that show which days you are at school and at home and when holidays, birthdays, and special events are happening.

Using a linear calendar in my preschool classroom transformed our circle time! It was a great visual for the students because it is essentially a big number line! I’m excited to share all about linear calendars with you and I hope to inspire you to use one in your classroom!

What is a Linear Calendar?

A linear calendar is a visual representation of time that is in a straight line, rather than the traditional grid or monthly format. It provides a continuous, sequential view of time, which helps students understand the flow and progression of days.

A traditional monthly calendar grid has been used in classrooms for as long as I can remember. The days are organized in rows with 7 numbers for the days of the week. I’ve realized over time that a row of seven is not that helpful for young children to learn about our number system. Instead, we can use a linear calendar to help young children learn about time in a more natural way.

Benefits to Linear Calendars

There are so many benefits to using linear calendars in a classroom!

Develops Sense of Time

Using a linear calendar helps students visually see the numbers and helps develop their sense of time duration and sequencing. Linear calendars present time in a straightforward way, helping students understand the concept of chronological order.

When a calendar is laid out this way, it helps children understand the passage of time. They can visually see what “yesterday” and “tomorrow” means.

Improves math skills

I love how linear calendars help improve math skills! Every day for calendar time, you can count the days in a line. When doing this, students start to see patterns in numbers!

Supports Language Development

You can help children’s vocabulary develop related to days, weeks, months, and holidays with a linear calendar. As you talk about the days and holidays, it can help young children with their storytelling skills or recounting past events.

Materials for Linear Calendars

You’ll only need a few supplies for your linear calendar:

• calendar cards
• sticky tack
• leveler (if you are like me and you need help keeping the cards straight!)

Decide which calendar you’ll use. I recommend my calendar cards since they are simple and have cute clip art for monthly themes! In the picture above, you’ll see we used Pete the Cat themed calendar cards.

Print the cards onto card stock paper and laminate them.

How to Set up a Linear Calendar

1. Decide where you’ll display the cards. I have a big wall in my classroom, so I made this the spot to display my calendar. You will want a large space on the wall that is eye level for the students.
2. After you determine your space, you’ll want to decide how you want to display it. I used sticky tack and the cards went directly onto the wall. Another way is to use pocket charts. Just simply cut the monthly pocket chart into strips.
3. Decide how you want to display the numbers. Do you want all the numbers displayed at once? Or do you want to put the number cards on backwards so you can turn them over each day? I displayed all the numbers and put a heart sticker above the number to show the date.
4. Place the house and school cards underneath the number cards. This shows the students which days they are in school and which days they are at home.
5. Lastly, add in holiday, special events, and birthday cards! I put these cards above the number.

Where to Get a Linear Calendar

I recommend using simple calendar cards, like these. The numbers are clear, they fit in pocket charts, and they are inexpensive!

The linear calendar pack I created includes so much!

• Colorful calendar cards (can be used for the whole year!)
• Themed calendar cards for every month (3 styles for each month)
• School and home cards
• Holiday cards
• Special day cards (Ex: no school, birthdays, field trips, etc.)
• Blank cards for you to personalize

In total, there are over 1,000 cards in this pack! If you are a member of the Printables Club, you’ll find them in the Club. If not, you can purchase them on TPT or my store.

The calendar cards are 2.5 x 2.5 inches and fit in a pocket chart calendar perfectly.

Activities with Linear Calendars

1. Calendar Counting – every day, count the days! If the date is September 15th, count to 15! Also if you have a special event coming up, practice counting how many days it is until the day. I recommend clapping to count the days to make it fun!
2. Pattern Recognition – point out the patterns you see with numbers! If you use the colored calendar cards, then you can show the patterns in colors, too!
3. Storytelling – to help with vocabulary development, ask students questions about special date. For example, if Halloween is coming up, ask the students what their favorite costume is.
4. Future Planning – if a special day is coming up, count the days! This gives students a visual and helps with planning.

By making your linear calendar interactive and visually appealing, young children will grasp the abstract concept of time in a fun and engaging way.

Will you try a linear calendar? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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