In the video I posted I talked all about different ways wee learn numbers in my house with these number monsters. Sammy has been loving these little monsters that we made, so I wanted to share with you how he has been using them, for those who prefer a post over video.
Sammy is able to count well and is beginning to gain an understanding of the meaning behind each number (that 3 means it holds a value of 3 ‘things’). One of the activities we have been practicing is ordering. Starting at one, or for a little added complexity, a different number, and counting up (or down)
Sometimes he would get stumped about which symbol represented each number, so he would count the stickers. This was a great way for him to be independent and solve his questions all on his own.
We worked a lot on sorting as well. I would give Sammy some sort of direction, and he would have to decide which numbers fit. For example, which numbers are greater (or bigger) then 3 – he would sort through the cards and stick the correct ones onto the wall. We did this for:
Curvy numbers (3, 6, 8)
Straight numbers
Numbers bigger or smaller then a given number
And we usually finished with playing one of Sammy’s favourite games – Monster Smash. I would call out a number and he would swat it with a foam pumpkin attached to a pipe cleaner. It’s a great activity to do for wee ones who like to be moving – and don’t they all?!
These cards could be made seasonal (such as our Monsters for Halloween) or could simple be made out of regular construction paper squares. I was very surprised with how much my Sammy took to them!
Do you know any great Monster songs for kids?
[…] in our house! I love Holidays or Celebrations of any kind – and so do my wee ones. Our monster numbers activity we had been doing led us very nicely to this Halloween Craft. It is monster counting in a craft […]