A New Year
Thanks for joining us!
This episode was written by Jean and voiced by Kara and T.
Episode art was created by Jean.
It was originally released in February 2024.
How do we measure this new year? We use a calendar —
Let’s say that together. Ca-len-dar.
A solar calendar is based on the sun. A lunar calendar is one based on the movements of the moon.
Calendar was first created 2000 years ago. And then 400 years ago it was changed a bit more, and that’s the version we use in the United States today.
Breaking down parts of the year —
There are 7 days in the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Do you know any songs with the days of the week?
Each month has 30 or 31 days and has a different name: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
There are 4 seasons in the year: winter, spring, summer, fall.
How do other countries and cultures celebrate the new year? —
In Japan, people are sure to clean their houses to start the new year fresh.
In Guatemala, they wear new clothes for good luck.
In Brazil, people often wear colorful clothes to bring luck. They wear white for good luck, yellow for good energies, happiness and money, or red for love.
In Chile, people place coins at their front door wishing for good fortune. And those who are hoping to travel walk around with a suitcase.
In Spain, people eat 12 grapes when the clock strikes 12:00 to bring good luck.
In Italy, they bake a coin into a cake to bring good luck to the person who finds the coin.
In the southern part of the United States, people eat black-eyed peas to bring good luck and green leafy vegetables called collards to hopefully bring them money.
Activity Prompt —
Make your own calendar! Draw the columns and rows needed for all of the days of the next month. Depending on where your kid is with their letters and numbers, have them label the days of the week or the dates. Encourage them to draw pictures of upcoming events, like birthdays or sports games.