Free Printable – Animal Hibernation and Torpor Cards

Today you are invited to download the animal hibernation and torpor cards – learning printables for preschool and kindergarten children. Use this resource with true-to-life images to create hands-on fall & winter activities for your students. This resource will come in handy if you are planning to present a Hibernation Unit and explore animals that dwell in woodland areas in your Montessori and early childhood classroom.

This resource contains an animal hibernation and torpor poster, worksheets, two types of animal cards.

Here is what’s included:

  • hibernation cards x 12
  • animal labeled cards x 12
  • animal cards x 12
  • poster
  • tracing worksheets x 3

Age: Preschool ages 3 – 5 years

Subjects and uses in the classroom: Hibernation, Woodland, Autumn, Winter, Nature Table, Science Centers, Fine motor, Prewriting

Here are some of my recommendations on how you can use these cards.

You may like to utilize this resource to help students improve their concentration and memory, learn new vocabulary, and help them build connections with their natural environment.
There are two sets of cards included. One is for match-up activities with animals and words. These will be beneficial for younger children who enjoy pairing exercises. It’s a wonderful work matching the picture to the picture and the word to the word.

The second set is for children to identify hibernation and torpor spaces for each animal and then find the correct label.

Print a set of 12 cards of your choice.

Cut animal cards and label cards. Gather a glue gun and pegs. Mount animal pictures and label cards onto the pegs. Invite the child to find the matching cards for each peg. Pegs will create an additional challenge for little fingers and their muscles. This exercise will help to improve the child’s fine motor skills and help prepare for writing.

Alternatively, attach clear hook and loop fasteners and invite the child to fasten animal pictures along with their names onto the correct master card. Littles love this exercise and is also very helpful to young children who are working on mastering their pencil grips.

Invite the students to use the animal poster to self-check once the task is completed.

Older children might be inspired to research and create their own hibernation books about animals that are a part of the natural habitat in their home region.
Tracing/labeling and coloring worksheets – print on cardstock and laminate. Supply an erasable pen. Invite the child to trace the words and color corresponding images. Alternatively, print pages on regular printing paper and invite the child to trace the words.

About Anastasia | Anastasia is an early childhood teacher with over twenty years of experience in Montessori classrooms and homeschooling. With a Master’s in Information Science, she blends education and information design to create clear, organized, research-backed resources. As founder of Montessori Nature, she develops evidence-based, nature-inspired printables that support holistic child development and foster curiosity, independence, and a love of learning. Explore more in her shop and Teachers Pay Teachers store.

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