How to Introduce Numbers to Toddlers (Ages 1 to 3 years)

I am sharing this as I have received multiple emails from fellow Mommies, asking how did I introduce numbers and counting to Mavi. To answer your questions, here are  the Math-related activities I gave to Mavi when he was about one to three years old. Note that the timeline of the activities here are not in order.

1]  Familiarization of Numbers using playdough. We made number symbols using PlayDoh.  I first introduced 1-9 and as we progressed we did 10 to 19. I shared our Numbers and Letter playdoh mats last year, FREE Numbers and Letters Playdoh Mats.

2] Number matching puzzle.  This is one activity I kept on repeating.  You can check out this number matching puzzles in Amazon

• The Learning Journey Match It! Counting
• Melissa & Doug Self-Correcting Wooden Number Puzzles With Storage Box (40 pcs)

3] Matching number symbols to objects.  I randomly made this using a cardstock.  As you look closer, I just draw the objects and then used water bottle caps for the numbers. He loves those water bottle caps! 

4] 1 to 1 Correspondence.  Again, I just made the graph.  He counts the number of circles (with the number symbol on the side) by putting a stamp on it.  Here, I showed him that the number represents the amount of circles present. There also learning materials in Amazon that can help reinforce this concept. My favorite are these:

• Excellerations Peg Number Boards
• Lauri Number Puzzle Boards & Pegs 

5] Numbers and Stickers.  Oh how my son loved this!! I cut out pieces of paper, write a number on the upper left side and place the same number of dots.  Then Mavi and I would count along as we cover those dots with stickers.  After which point to your child that the number of dots/sticker is represented by that number symbol.

6] Pin Colored/Counting Wheel.  I honestly forgot the source of this material but this is one of our favourite.  I labeled wooded pegs with numbers and colors so we can match them with the ones in the wheel. (If you happen to know the source please leave me a message!)

7] Montessori-Inspired Activity.  The concept behind here is similar to the Montessori Numbered Spindle Box.  I used plastic cups and craft sticks instead.  Labeled the cups with numbers and asked Mavi to place the correct amount of sticks in each cup.

8] Do a Dot Markers.  Now this is not necessary but I just have to mention that we love these markers and we love using it in counting!  I still have these markers which I bought in Singapore in 2011.  I can't wait to use them with Vito.  You can get these in Amazon US, Do A Dot Art! Markers 6-Pack Rainbow Washable Paint Markers.

9]  Homemade version of Montessori Number Rods.  So I made number rods using foam and used magnetic numbers for the symbol.  This helps a child develop an understanding of the quantitative relationship between numbers.  Here's the link in Amazon US if you are thinking of buying one, Montessori Counting Rods.

10]  Ordering numbers.  So simple, we used magnetic numbers and I just wrote the numbers 0 to 9 on a piece of cardstock for the control chart.  At first Mavi would match the magnetic numbers to the numbers in the cardstock.  As we progress, I made him match the numbers in order of what is written. We would recite the numbers after each activity.  Repetition of this activity will help the child understand the concept of ordering and counting.  Here are some suggested links if you want to get your own magnetic numbers:

• Melissa & Doug 37 Wooden Number Magnets in a Box
• Roscoe Learning 124 Piece Magnetic Numbers and Counters Math Skills Set

11] Number Crafts. Oh the first activity on numbers!! Expose them to number symbols similar to your alphabets.  You can do this by doing crafts or reading books together.

12] Number Flashcards.  Oh we found a way to make our flashcards useful.  We counted those pictures on the flashcards using counting chips. My son loved this!!!
 
These are all easy to prepare math activities and I hope that I was able to give you enough ideas to bootstrap your math learning journey with your young one/s.

Happy Sunday!

Study of Rocks for Kids

Mavi has always been fascinated with rocks.  He's been obsessed with rocks and dinosaurs since he discovered Dinosaur Train.  We have piles of rocks in our backyard that he had collected for some time now and he considered them his precious collection.  We've already had our experiment on Rock Cycle and it was a hit.

Thus, I had an idea to do this activity to feed his interest.  I purchased a set of Igneous Rocks and Metamorphic Rocks (I did not get the Sedimentary Rocks but here's the link for your reference), collected more rocks from the seaside and borrowed books from the library to complete our rock study.

Spice Up Your Life!

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to entertain your little ones and at the same time have those sense of smell and taste up to work... I suggest you give them this activity or something similar.

This activity is an introduction to spices.  I love to cook and considering that I am Asian, I use a variety of spices in my homecooked meals. Mavi has always been interested in cooking and would ask what's this and what's that.  So one day when we were stuck at home and he was begging me to give him an activity, this is what we did.

I took out all the spices I have in the spice rack and printed my Herbs and Spices Cards which I made early this year so we can do some smelling, tasting and matching activity.

As you can seem, aside from the powdered spices I also presented the real ones (garlic and ginger).  I ran out of cinnamon sticks though.

So all you needed to do is present each spice, how you use it and where you use it. 

Let them have a smell...

  

touch....

 

and a taste.

We kept on laughing at his reactions, whenever he tasted a spice that he doesn't like for example the garlic and ginger.   Then I asked him questions along the way.  How he would describe the cloves, the peppercorns, the cumin etc.

In the end, it was an enjoyable and fun activity for Mavi.  As you know kids always love to taste and touch things, and they are most interested in those stuff that Mommy use!  So it was nice that he gets to explore spices and how it satisfied his curiosity.

Just in case you don't have any of these spices, just use the ones available in your kitchen! It can be salt, sugar, soy sauce or whatever you feel like using.

Try this and have fun!

Modeling Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks

It's difficult to explain to a 5 year old how rocks are formed.  Good thing, we read this book Rocks and Minerals (Investigations) , it showed us how to make igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in ways that a child can easily grasp the concept.

Igneous Rocks.  These rocks are formed when hot molten rocks, magma or lava are cooled into solid.  Here melt the sugar and let it solidify. 

Heat brown sugar with little water on it into high temperature. Mix the sugar and water while it is heating.  Allow it to boil for a while, but don't burn it (turn into black).  When it is piping hot, pour the mixture into a cool baking try.  I placed our sugar mixture into a chilled baking paper. After a few minutes, the sugar will turn into a glassy and brittle toffee.  This process is similar to how igneous rocks are formed and their characteristics which are glassy or smooth and grainy.

My son can't get enough so we made a second version. This time, we poured the boiling sugar mixture in a bowl filled with cold water.

Sedimentary Rocks.  These rocks are formed as small particles of sand, minerals, shells, mud or any matter accumulate at the bottom of the seas, lakes or in deserts. 

  

A multi-layer of sandwich is like a strata rock.  The first layer is a slice of bread, and each filing is laid on top with more slices of bread.

We prepared two sandwiches here, and Mavi's version is the one with sausage and cheese. Notice the differences in the thickness and colors of layers.  Similar to the characteristic of a sedimentary rock.

Metamorphic Rocks.  Metamorphic means "change".  These are formed when igneous or sedimentary rocks are subjected to high temperatures or are crushed by high pressures underground.  So to create our metamorphic rocks, we used our sedimentary rock models and added pressure (Mavi) and heat (mine) on them.

            

We enjoyed our snacks that afternoon.  It was a fun preparing the sandwiches and a good way to learn.

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Teach Beside Me
Preschool Corner
Teaching Mama
I Can Teach My Child
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