A photo on Friday, because sometimes all you need is the picture. We began exploring the idea of tally marks this week and opted to use sticks. A super simple way to play with this concept and you quite likely have them available to you. I will share some games we played and ideas for…
Our Science and Math Shelf …
Do you know about the power of “loose parts” in play? It’s quite remarkable. Such a simple concept – one of those concepts that just make sense. In a nut shell, loose parts are exactly that. (You are most welcome for clearing that one up!) Loose parts can be anything at all – synthetic or…
Wooden Blocks Made from Our Old Tree
Wooden blocks are wonderful learning toys for kids. Wooden blocks can come in all different shapes and sizes and can be very easily homemade. My 3 year old absolutely loves playing with blocks right now, so we decided to make him some wooden blocks for outdoors. …
Preschool Math Activities: Our Playful Math Curriculum
Before I taught Kindergarten I taught preschool. I think having that experience made me a better Kindergarten teacher, as I was able to appreciate all of the playful learning that happens before children start school. My son is of preschool age, but home with me, so I thought I would write about our homeschool preschool…
Benefits of Small World Play
When I posted about Toy Truck Games, I mentioned that Sammy turned it into his own ‘Small World’ in a way. I decided to take that idea and run with it! This parking lot small world was a bigger hit then I had imagined! In a nut shell, small world play involves creating a scene…
Math Beads! Fun Counting Games With Kids
There are so many ways to learn about numbers, counting and math. We made some neat math beads a few weeks ago for a student I tutor, and we have been doing so much with them I wanted to share! I have used them for many fun counting games with kids with Sammy (3) all…
Creepy Crawly Spider Legs Counting
Halloween is just around the corner (well, I suppose around the corner and down the street a bit). But we are already getting into the Halloween Spirit at our house! Jamie, form Hands on as we Grow has been on a Spider kick lately, which inspired me to do a spider activity too. We have…
Preschool Math Games: Graphing with Nature
Preschool math games can be so much fun! This is a great game we use at home to help introduce the tricky concept of graphing. Graphing likely seems simple to most adults, but to wee ones it can be very tricky! Preschoolers often get confused with the concepts of ‘bigger/longer’ and ‘more’. But this simple…
The Great Gourd Competition!
Math sorting games with a fall twist – that is just what we needed! We went on a trip to our local apple orchard and pumpkin patch yesterday. We found some great gourds of all different shapes and sizes. Simply perfect for Fall math sorting, comparing, and contrasting! These Fall math sorting games were very…
Preschool Games: Math Games at the Mall
Preschool games can take place anywhere. An outing to the mall can be full of fun preschool games! Letter learning and math games are everywhere, as are different sights, scents, and experiences. On our last trip to the Mall, my Sammy enjoyed some fun preschool games. On this day, we focused on Math games. Here…