Special Needs Christmas Countdown

Subtraction is simply counting back or counting down (in terms of Christmas). You can use the countdown to Christmas to reinforce Math skills with your developmentally delayed child.

• Begin with an advent calendar or a regular calendar page.
• Count how many days until Christmas.
• Write that number at the top of a long strip of paper.
• Make the number countdown a ritual for each day.
• Let your child open the Advent calendar or cross off the day on the calendar page. Together count how many days are left until Christmas.
• Cross out the number on the countdown strip and write the new number.

This activity is more than just a number check for the approaching holiday. It is building Math skills that are critical for later learning subtraction. Here are the skills that you will be reinforcing with your child:

• Number recognition
• Counting
• Counting back (counting down)
• Number writing

Kids with special needs LOVE calendar activities. This one is great for family time. It is a quick do-together activity that promotes holiday fun and reinforces Math (specifically subtraction).