2 and 2 makes 4!
From counting to sorting objects, math is everywhere. You will be surprised at how much math children can do without even realizing it! Here are some fun activities that will help improve math skills.
Pattern Pasta
Materials: Yarn, tape, colored pasta
Directions: Cut a long piece of yarn for each child. Tape the ends so they do not fray. The children will string the pasta on the yarn. Ask the child what color they choose, encourage patterns, and in the end they will have a necklace!
(More variations of this activity include using different kinds of string or sticks for making patterns, using cereal in place of the pasta, or even using 'pool noodles' cut into small circles.)
Directions: Cut a long piece of yarn for each child. Tape the ends so they do not fray. The children will string the pasta on the yarn. Ask the child what color they choose, encourage patterns, and in the end they will have a necklace!
(More variations of this activity include using different kinds of string or sticks for making patterns, using cereal in place of the pasta, or even using 'pool noodles' cut into small circles.)
Classifying Tubs
Materials: Clean butter tubs, pompom balls, or other small manipulatives
Directions: Cut holes in the top of the clean lid. The child puts the manipulatives in the holes according to size, color, etc.
Directions: Cut holes in the top of the clean lid. The child puts the manipulatives in the holes according to size, color, etc.
What Doesn't Belong?
Materials: Two of the same object, one different object (example, two toy cars and a book)
Directions: Pair two of the same items together along with a different item and ask the child which object doesn't belong. Ask them if they know why it doesn't belong.
Directions: Pair two of the same items together along with a different item and ask the child which object doesn't belong. Ask them if they know why it doesn't belong.
Coloring Sorting Bags
Materials: Any objects with an obvious color, brown lunch bags, construction paper, glue, markers
Directions: Cut the construction paper to match the size of the paper bags. Then write the name of the color on the paper and glue it to the bag. Put all the objects in one place, such as a pile or in a box. The children grab one object and tell you the color. Then they match and place it in the corresponding lunch bag.
Directions: Cut the construction paper to match the size of the paper bags. Then write the name of the color on the paper and glue it to the bag. Put all the objects in one place, such as a pile or in a box. The children grab one object and tell you the color. Then they match and place it in the corresponding lunch bag.
Ladybug Matching
Materials: Red poster board, different colored construction paper, glue, Velcro
Directions: Cut out a large ladybug from the red poster board. Cut out two circles of each color construction paper. Glue one of each color circle on the poster board. (Optional: You can laminate it now to last longer.) Attach the Velcro, or something else like sticky tack, to the leftover circles. These will be used for the children to match each colored circle to the one on the poster board. You can talk about the shape of a circle, the different colors, or about ladybugs.
Directions: Cut out a large ladybug from the red poster board. Cut out two circles of each color construction paper. Glue one of each color circle on the poster board. (Optional: You can laminate it now to last longer.) Attach the Velcro, or something else like sticky tack, to the leftover circles. These will be used for the children to match each colored circle to the one on the poster board. You can talk about the shape of a circle, the different colors, or about ladybugs.
Measure Your Room
Materials: Blocks, hula hoops, or ANY object!
Directions: The children will lay out the blocks (other other objects) the entire length of the classroom to discover how many it takes to lay across the floor. Have them make a hypothesis before hand, and count as they are involved.
Directions: The children will lay out the blocks (other other objects) the entire length of the classroom to discover how many it takes to lay across the floor. Have them make a hypothesis before hand, and count as they are involved.
We Are the Hallway
Guess How Many
Materials: Mason jar, small objects (pompoms, bouncy balls, marshmallows, candies, etc.)
Directions: Fill the jar with the small objects. The children will try to guess how many objects are in the jar. Count the objects and see who had the closest guess.
Directions: Fill the jar with the small objects. The children will try to guess how many objects are in the jar. Count the objects and see who had the closest guess.
Dinosaur Game Board
Materials: Manila folder, black Sharpie, construction paper, glue, dice
Directions: Cut out small squares from the construction paper and arrange them on the folder in the shape of a dinosaur. (Or any other shape! You can make it match your curriculum's theme.) Glue the squares down. You can decorate the front of the folder with die cuts to make it prettier. The object of the game is for children to roll the dice, count the dots, and move that many spots on the game board.
Another thing that you might want to focus on is teaching about good sportsmanship- that you can't always win :)
Directions: Cut out small squares from the construction paper and arrange them on the folder in the shape of a dinosaur. (Or any other shape! You can make it match your curriculum's theme.) Glue the squares down. You can decorate the front of the folder with die cuts to make it prettier. The object of the game is for children to roll the dice, count the dots, and move that many spots on the game board.
Another thing that you might want to focus on is teaching about good sportsmanship- that you can't always win :)
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On my game board, I mainly used green squares. If you land on a black square, you can roll again. These squares can be used for older children.
Friend Face Memory
Materials: 2 same photos of each child, note cards, glue
Directions: Measure and cut the photos to match the size of the note cards, and then glue them together. Flip the cards over so that the pictures are face down. The children take turns flipping over the cards two at a time, trying to make a match. This activity helps social skills and remembering names, faces, and where each match is.
Directions: Measure and cut the photos to match the size of the note cards, and then glue them together. Flip the cards over so that the pictures are face down. The children take turns flipping over the cards two at a time, trying to make a match. This activity helps social skills and remembering names, faces, and where each match is.
Object Tongs
Materials: Tongs, bowls, small objects (pompoms, counting bears, erasers, bouncy balls, etc.)
Directions: The children will use the tongs to pick up the small objects and sort them into bowls. You can provide a mix of small objects, or one set of objects (such as the counting bears) and they can sort by color. The tongs help with hand eye coordination as well as fine motor development.
Directions: The children will use the tongs to pick up the small objects and sort them into bowls. You can provide a mix of small objects, or one set of objects (such as the counting bears) and they can sort by color. The tongs help with hand eye coordination as well as fine motor development.