Months Of The Year Worksheets

Learning the months of the year is a fundamental aspect of early education, providing children with the tools they need to understand the passage of time and organize their daily activities. Our “Months Of The Year Worksheets” are designed to make this learning process engaging and effective.

One of the exercises featured in these worksheets is “Write the month before and after the month you see.” This activity reinforces the sequence of the months and enhances memory retention and critical thinking skills. By practicing this exercise, children will gain a stronger grasp of the calendar year, making it easier for them to plan, anticipate, and celebrate various events throughout the year. Dive into our worksheets and help your young learners master the months of the year in a fun and interactive way!

Months Of The Year Worksheets

Download the pdf, print it, and write the month before and after the month you see.

Definition of Month

A month is a unit of time used in calendars, typically lasting around 30 days. The concept of a month is rooted in the Moon’s orbit around the Earth, which takes approximately 29.5 days.

History and Etymology

The word “month” comes from the Old English “mōnath,” which is derived from “mōna,” meaning “moon.” The length of a month has varied in different cultures and calendars:

• Lunar Calendar: In lunar calendars, such as the Islamic calendar, months are based on the Moon’s phases. A lunar month is about 29.5 days long.
• Solar Calendar: In solar calendars, such as the Gregorian calendar, months are aligned with the solar year. The Gregorian calendar, which is widely used today, has 12 months with varying lengths (28-31 days).
• Historical Calendars: The ancient Roman calendar initially had ten months, with the year starting in March. Later, January and February were added, resulting in the 12-month structure.

Gregorian Calendar Months

1. January: Named after Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates.
2. February: Named after Februa, an early Roman festival and cleansing ritual.
3. March: Named after Mars, the Roman god of war.
4. April: Possibly from the Latin word “aperire,” meaning “to open,” signifying the opening of flowers.
5. May: Named after Maia, an earth goddess of growing plants.
6. June: Named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth.
7. July: Named after Julius Caesar.
8. August: Named after Augustus Caesar.
9. September: From the Latin “septem,” meaning “seven.” It was the seventh month in the ancient Roman calendar.
10. October: From the Latin “octo,” meaning “eight.”
11. November: From the Latin “novem,” meaning “nine.”
12. December: From the Latin “decem,” meaning “ten.”

Cultural Significance

• Festivals and Holidays: Many cultures have significant festivals and holidays tied to specific months, such as Christmas in December and Ramadan, which shifts through different months in the Islamic lunar calendar.
• Seasonal Changes: Months often mark seasonal changes, influencing agricultural activities, weather patterns, and traditional events.

Zodiac and Astrology

In astrology, each month is associated with one or more zodiac signs:

• January: Capricorn, Aquarius
• February: Aquarius, Pisces
• March: Pisces, Aries
• April: Aries, Taurus
• May: Taurus, Gemini
• June: Gemini, Cancer
• July: Cancer, Leo
• August: Leo, Virgo
• September: Virgo, Libra
• October: Libra, Scorpio
• November: Scorpio, Sagittarius
• December: Sagittarius, Capricorn

Months in Different Calendars

• Hebrew Calendar: Uses lunar months with names like Nisan, Iyar, Sivan, etc.
• Chinese Calendar: Lunar-solar, with months named after Chinese characters, starting with the new moon.
• Hindu Calendar: Varies by region, with months like Chaitra, Vaisakha, and Ashadha.
• Months in the Islamic (Hijri) Calendar: Muharram, Sofor, Rabi’ ul-Awwal, Rabiussani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Sani , Rajab,Sha’ban, Ramadan (رمضان), Shawwal, Jil Qadh, Jil Hajj

Fun Facts

• Leap Year: February has 29 days instead of 28 in a leap year, occurring every four years.
• Month Length: The average month length in the Gregorian calendar is approximately 30.44 days.

English Months in the Gregorian Calendar

1. January
   • Description: Named after Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates, symbolizing beginnings and transitions. It marks the start of the new year.
   • Days: 31
2. February
   • Description: Named after Februa, an early Roman festival and cleansing ritual. It is the shortest month and includes Leap Year every four years, adding an extra day.
   • Days: 28 (29 in Leap Year)
3. March
   • Description: Named after Mars, the Roman god of war. It often signals the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
   • Days: 31
4. April
   • Description: Possibly derived from the Latin word “aperire,” meaning “to open,” reflecting the opening of flowers and the arrival of spring.
   • Days: 30
5. May
   • Description: Named after Maia, an earth goddess of growing plants in Roman mythology. It is often associated with spring and fertility.
   • Days: 31
6. June
   • Description: Named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth. It marks the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
   • Days: 30
7. July
   • Description: Named after Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. It is one of the warmest months in the Northern Hemisphere, often associated with summer vacations.
   • Days: 31
8. August
   • Description: Named after Augustus Caesar. Like July, it is a warm summer month in the Northern Hemisphere.
   • Days: 31
9. September
   • Description: From the Latin “septem,” meaning “seven,” as it was the seventh month of the early Roman calendar. It marks the beginning of autumn.
   • Days: 30
10. October
    • Description: From the Latin “octo,” meaning “eight,” as it was the eighth month of the early Roman calendar. It is associated with autumn and harvest.
    • Days: 31
11. November
    • Description: From the Latin “novem,” meaning “nine,” as it was the ninth month of the early Roman calendar. It often marks the transition to winter.
    • Days: 30
12. December
    • Description: From the Latin “decem,” meaning “ten,” as it was the tenth month of the early Roman calendar. It includes major holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah.
    • Days: 31

Final Words

In conclusion, mastering the months of the year is an essential milestone for young learners. Our “Months Of The Year Worksheets” offer a diverse range of activities designed to make this learning journey both enjoyable and effective. By engaging with exercises like “Write the month before and after the month you see,” children will develop a stronger understanding of the calendar, enhancing their ability to organize their time and anticipate important events.

We encourage educators and parents to incorporate these worksheets into their teaching routines to provide children with a solid foundation in understanding the months of the year. With consistent practice and support, young learners will confidently navigate through the year, equipped with the knowledge and skills they need.

Thank you for choosing our resources to support your child’s educational journey. We hope these worksheets bring joy and learning to your home or classroom. Happy teaching!