Before you get right into it, educate your child about the Iditarod. You can read together, talk about any personal experience with the race, watch a video of mushing, and then add the educational concepts.
- Bring on the dogs: Play with dog stuffed animals, practice making dog sounds, talk about dogs you know and how to take care of them
- Ask Questions: Stimulate your child’s thinking and observation skills by asking open-ended questions about the Iditarod, for example, “What do you think the mushers need to pack on their sled to make it through the long race?”
- Incorporate Daily Routines: Turn everyday moments into learning opportunities, such as counting sled dogs in a picture or talking about what snacks the mushers eat as you have a snack
- Celebrate Curiosity: Praise your child’s efforts to learn and curiosity about the race, making them feel confident and motivated to learn more
- Check out Iditarod.edu’s page for preschool and kindergarten activities
