We have 10 fingers!

I saw this today and decided to make my own version and laminate it to assist some tots in counting their fingers!
Although my tots can count to 30 the concept of all those numbers gets lost if you do not assist them in making a visual connection to those numbers. So this is what we did.

I had the tots place their hands over the hands on the page we created. Then I had them count out loud their fingers on each hand. Some breezed by doing this activity - others did struggle. I will leave this out for the tots to practise whenever they have an urge to do so. 

Easter in our classroom!

Every season and occasion brings little extras into the classroom,

which makes things fun and interesting!

Here are a few things we added:

An I Spy - made from a plastic Easter egg and all the goodies that fit the occasion.

Like Barrel of Monkeys - but it Bunnies!

For fine motor and hand eye coordination skills.

Tic Tac Toe - we are using it for sorting, patterns / sequencing and counting

Transferring and sorting with tongs.

Open and closing activity - each egg has a small eraser in it.

Pouring small erasers from one flower pot to another.

Patterns - counting - sorting.

Our little bunnies!

There are probably Kmart coupons available for holiday supplies, to save some money, so check online for next time.

More Magnetic ideas!

Preparing for back to school next week!

We are continuing our Magnetic March.

Week One went like this!

Topped off with this fun activity!

Here is some of what we will be doing when we return:

Magnetic exploration box.

Magnetic fishing.

Matching magnet numbers.

I took pictures of the numbers - prepared the matching sheet and laminated it.

Then taped the matching sheet to a tin cookie sheet.

We will add one of our new activities from Toys, Tools & Treasures

Then we will be doing this 'trick'!

See the paper clip laying in the bottom of the bottle?

Now it's floating to the top!

Magic! 

Here's how we did it:

Poke a hole in the bottom of the plastic bottle.

I heated a metal paper clip with a lighter and pushed it through.

Then insert a long thin string - tie on a paper clip once it's through - and make it the length of the bottle.

Tie a knot in the end of the string so it does not go back through the bottle.

Add a dab of hot glue to secure it further. 

Now hot glue a magnet into the lid.

Glue it onto the bottle.

Then you show everyone the bottle - with the paper clip laying down inside.

Then turn it gently upside down and then turn it upright - showing everyone the floating paper clip.

Our next magnetic activity

You will need a magnet and some pennies.

I discovered not all pennies are magnetic.

Check them first to ensure they will indeed be attracted by the magnet.

Now see how many pennies you can attach end to end.

Then take a straw and gently blow on the last penny in the link.

It will spin!!

This should be a fun magnetic week!

Sorting and Spooning A Rainbow of colour!

Sorting and spooning are a staple activity in a Montessori classroom. Since my room is a combination of both emergent ECE and Montessori - this activity fits right in.

In this activity the children will use the corresponding spoon and bowl to spoon and sort the beads into the correct bowl.

I gotta say I love the dollar store - I wish I had stock in it because I could spend a thousand dollars a day! I just love this bowl and spoon set I got for $1.50. Never underestimate what you can put together with a few dollar store finds.

What's on the shelf for Valentines Day?

The collection!

Counting coins - transfer from one heart to the other.

Opening and shutting small containers / putting in and out erasers.

Also used for memory and matching skills, sorting + counting.

Counting heart gems,sorting and putting them into the heart tray.

Pouring mini erasers from one pail to the other.

I spy Valentines jar - which the kids filled.  

Gems and containers on our light table.

Used for counting - matching - sorting, pouring etc.

Then top that with play dough fun - using valentines cookie cutters!

Wiggle Worm

We play this game called 'Wiggle Worm' - it's a great game to play for toddlers because we get to wiggle and learn at the same time. Educational and fun! What more could you want in a game!

First I printed off shapes and numbers and a clip art of a worm on to card stock and I laminated them - then cut them to fit on the large craft sticks. I am going to add the ABC's soon - because my tots have this down cold now! I keep them in a plastic container which I simply covered in coloured paper.

To play the game I pull out one stick at a time - hold it up for all to view and the tots shout out what they see on the stick. If the worm pops up the tots get to wiggle and squiggle in their seat. Everyone giggles while skill building!

Now this is NOT my original idea - but I found it over 2 years ago so I cannot link it to anyone - if it's your idea let me know and I will link you! :) All the clips I used I simply searched on google.

Do they use that stuff?

There are often times when I get asked if the children actually choose to use the practical life items I place out for the children in the classroom.
Indeed they do! I think it's because they are different. They are not pre-packaged toys - they are something outside of the box. I also present the objects before independant use, so the children have an idea of how they may manipulate the objects. Not because I don't think they would come up with their own solutions - but because some kids simply need a stepping off point. Besides I think it also makes the object more important since they were presented as something special.

Here the children use the I Spy Christmas Tubes and some Christmas icecube trays with glitter pompoms & Christmas erasers. Great for fine motor practice, sorting , matching, sequencing, counting and sensory stimulation etc. The presents our magical elf 'Stanley' brought for the children to count.  The puzzle the one boy is using was very difficult, but he is a really great puzzle expert! He even stumped one of our teachers - he had to show her how it went together! LOL It's really interesting to watch the children use the objects with great interest since most people would simply look at them as just stuff without a purpose.

So - do they use that stuff? YUP!

This week I added magnets with a jar of jingle bells and pipe cleaners bent into candy canes.

 

Fun to play with!

Inventive ways to count to 10

I am always trying new and interesting ways for my toddlers to count to 10 - I want them to not only be able to count to 10, but I also want them to conceptually identify 10.

Today we used plastic discs and 10 cups - we put one disc into each cup and counted them outloud as the discs dropped into the cups.

We then took 10 large cups and place the smaller cups inside and counted them outloud as well.

Easy right! the kids really enjoyed both activities. :)

Playing with blocks!

I have at least 5 main types of blocks in my classroom at one time. I often add more, and switch them out, with a variety of other types - styles and textures on a regular basis. Combining a selection of blocks together can enhance this play beyond the simple build a tower type of block play. Not that there is anything wrong with that, as tower building is an important component of block building. After all the 'Pink Tower' is one of the principal pieces of equipment in a Montessori classroom. Essentially block play transforms any day into an adventure in learning.
When I watch the children playing with blocks, I see so many crucial developmental skills being evolved. I watch the excitement when the children transform blocks to  into creations, which in their mind represents what they had intended. The social aspect of block play is of great value. I see children that may not have socialize together, suddenly partner up and create a structure, with a resourcefulness that had not been established before.
Providing the tools for exploration in the classroom is a teachers role in ensuring that the children have what they require for steady developmental growth. Blocks may seem like a common and simple object, but there importance is paramount.

Take a look at the articles on these links for "The Importance of Block Play":

A place of our own

Let kids play

Picklebums

Community playthings

Early childhood news

Sixty second parent

So what type of blocks do you have in your classroom?

 Here are some of the Toddler favourites we have:

Plastic 3D Character Blocks / Clipo Peeka Blocks / Waffle Blocks

Wooden blocks in a variety of types

Wooden Lincoln Logs / Foam Blocks

Duplo Blocks a classic favorite! 





 I can't remember the name of these - but we like them :)
*Thanks to one of my followers on FB for reminding me that these are called Bristol Blocks!

The list could go on and on - there are so many to choose from.

Perhaps we can give our gratitude to Frederich Froebel for the introduction of these wonderful "gifts" in his newly formed kindergarten classroom. His altruistic vision of presenting play with a purpose, by creating occupations, lead the way for teachers to use the child's 'environment' as educational aids.

Watch this video which I made for more information on Frederich Froebel:

 Froebel Video

Be sure to add a variety of blocks to your classroom!