Number Fun

Let's have some fun as we explore numbers and counting through games and song.
On Tuesday, June 12 we will:

• Sing "Five Little Speckled Frogs" and introduce American Sign Language for the numbers 1-10.
• Play "Flip the card" and sign the number to match the card.
• Sing "Can you find the number..." as children search for numbers around the room.
• Counting practice: Each caregiver will pretend to give each child a "present" that contains a certain number of objects. Children will close their eyes and then be "surprised" by their gift, open it, and count the objects.
• Free play and there will be math materials and activities available for parents and children to explore.

Ideas for Home:

The best way for children to learn math skills is through everyday experiences, play, and fun and games.

I feel that it is important for parents to know what is developmentally appropriate for children at each age. When playing and interacting with children, we want to be at their level so that interactions and games are enjoyable and children are learning without knowing it!! Here are some resources:

• PBS Parents has great info on developmental milestones and appropriate activities for infants through grade 2.
• Infants and Toddlers
• PreK and K
• Grades 1 and 2
• List of books to nurture early math skills
• Math websites
• Sesame Street website gets a lot of use in our house. There are math games and activities that young children can complete on their own, with adult supervision of course!
• Browse games by subject here.
• Just play, have fun, and follow your child's lead. You will bond and they learn along the way. When playing use number, shape, and directional words (up, down, over, under).
• Count stairs as you are walking up and down. Count scoops of food, trees, rocks, dolls, cars...
• Explore the world using your senses and talk about what you are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling and thinking!
• Provide toys that have incremental sizes, such as nesting cups and stack able rings.
• Sand and water play with opportunities to pour, fill, scoop, and dump and use comparison words when playing.
• American Sign Language Browser