Phone Numbers
This I used to help my child learn his phone number and phone numbers of his friends and family. Cut a 4x8 piece of tagboard for each person to be included in the phone book. On each sheet, punch two holes on top the long way and insert rings to hold it together. Glue a family picture on the home phone number, a picture of Dad for his work number, Mom for hers, grandparents, best friends, etc. Then carefully print the phone number onto each one. Laminate if necessary to make if stronger and longer lasting. Each night before bed, his "book" became part of the routine. We discussed each one and read it aloud and pretty soon he could be quizzed on them. He was 5 at the time and since his 3 yr old sister did it with us also, she knows most of them already too!!
Counting at Naptime!
At my home, we read a story or two before naptime. So to get the children from the circle to their cots, we do this favorite song..... (all children lie on the floor as if they are in one big bed. First roll one direction and the next verse, roll the other direction because of limited spacing)
There were six in the bed and the little one said "Roll over, roll over!"
So they all rolled over and _______(child's name) fell out (he/she then goes to their mat)
There were five in the bed and the little one said "Roll over, roll over!"
So they all rolled over and ________fell out
There were four in the bed and the little one said "Roll over, roll over!"
etc.......
There was one in the bed and he/she said "Goodnight!!"
(of course, use the number of children you have in your care)
***Candy Math from Tiffany
Give each child a handful of their favorite candy, M&M's, gummy bears, chocolate kisses, jelly bellies, or even goldfish crackers. Let the kids use these when figuring out a math problem.
On index cards write 3+4=__ have the kids put 3 candies on the #3 and 4 candies on the number 4, have them count the total amount and write in on the blank line. After they are completely done with all the math problems, and they've clean up their projects, let them enjoy some of the candies!!
***Fingerprint Bug Math from Tiffany
Give each child some index cards onto which they will put their fingerprints. On the first card, they put one fingerprint. On the second, they put two, on the third, three, etc. When the cards have dried, the children can then add legs and a face to each fingerprint to make them into bugs. On the back of each card they are to write how many bugs they made. Once the cards are finished, you can use them in counting games! You could also do the same thing for addition and subtraction just by adding a +/- in the middle of the finger prints and an =__ at the end. Another option might be to use stickers or stamps instead of the finger prints.
***Feed the dog a bone: Math Game from Tiffany
Take a blank die, and write either + or - and 1 or 2 on the die (ex. +2, -1, etc.). Use real dog bones (small ones), and have 4 strawberry baskets with colored, laminated cartoon pictures of dogs on them. The kids roll the die, and either feed the bones to the dog (if it is a + sign), or take bones away (if it is a - sign).
Whoever gets 10 bones in his/her dog's basket first wins!! This is a great addition/subtraction readiness game, and very inexpensive and easy to make. You can substitute the dog for any other animal you'd like!
Fingerplay/Song
(sung to "Ten Green Bottles")
I have 10 little fingers wiggling on my hands
Ten little fingers wiggling on my hands
And if one of those fingers gets tired of doing this dance
There'd be 9 little fingers wiggling on my hands
I have 9 little fingers wiggling on my hands
Nine little fingers wiggling on my hands
And if one of those fingers gets tired of doing this dance
There'd be 8 little fingers wiggling on my hands.
Etc, etc, etc....
Game submitted by Pat ( LUNCHBOX719@aol.com )...
This game can be use for shapes-colors-parts of the body etc. On index cards I draw different shapes.If making this for colors, I draw a square in the middle of the card using different colors. For body shape, I have cards with different body parts on them.
I have the children line up on opposite sides of the rug and I review with the names of the shapes by holding up the card and placing it on the floor and I repeat till we have named all the shapes. Then I call the name of one child from each line and they have to race to the middle and get a certain card. The person who touches it first gets it. If you need to replace cards during the game (example- if you just called a circle, replace it with a new one.) And you need to have one more card than you have kids so at the end there are two choice on the floor.
