Reindeer Games - Math Concepts

Hard to believe that Christmas is just days away.  It's time for presents and visits from Santa and making cookies (lots and lots of cookies!)  It's also the perfect time for teaching math concepts to your little ones.

I set up a simple math game here.  This concept is number value.  Kiddos will understand that the written number '5' means five objects.  I only did 1-5 with this layout.  Start out simple and work your way up to 12 objects.

 You can use a whole host of items to teach this concept.  These small wooden reindeer, I found at Michael's Craft Store in the holiday clearance section.  I think there was a package of 20 for $2.99, but they are 70% off this week.

First, lay out the numbers (or simply write them clearly on a piece of paper) in order - 1, 2, 3,4,5.  Then ask the child to show you how many reindeer for each number.  If they place four reindeer under the number '2', don't say No, that's not right.  Say something like, Let's count those together.  While counting put your finger on each reindeer.  It helps to reinforce the number value.

You can use any objects that you have around the house - jingle bells, cotton balls, candy canes, etc. The play possibilities are endless!

Have a fun & playful day!
Mel

Cabochons

Have you heard of cabochons?  Have you used them in your projects?  I recently used them on my whimsical rainbow garden playscape seen below.

I ordered them from WhimsyPop on etsy - a lot of amazing things.

I ordered them for this project, but I also have been using them as counters.  Lettuce counters. hee hee I know, I know.  My brain works in weird ways. And have been using them for teaching small, medium, and large.  I guess, you can find inspiration for teaching math anywhere. :)

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Math Games Mondays - City Life

Here's another fun Roll the Dice game for Math Games Mondays. Yep, it's Monday again already!  Where did the weekend go?

I found these Safari Ltd. Toobs that are of NYC and vehicles - perfect to use for every day play, but today, we are using them as counters.  Simply roll the dice. Cover up that many buildings.  Roll again until all the buildings have a counter on them. 

This game helps with number value, counting, taking turns, and bonding time.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Math Games Mondays - City Life by melanieshanks on Polyvore

City Love 2 - 8X10 Art Print/Wall Art - Baby Nursery Decor and...
etsy.com

Math Games Mondays - Gnomes

Math doesn't have to be boring!

I have done TONS of these games - all different versions.  I decided to do a Gnome theme one today because of Spring.

Have one sheet of gnomes printed on sturdy cardstock, a handful of ladybug (or any kind of) buttons, and a dice.

Each child takes turns rolling the dice, then covers that number of gnomes or mushrooms with the ladybug buttons.  For example, Ethan rolls a 4.  Ethan will count 4 ladybug buttons.  Then he will cover 4 gnomes or mushrooms with a ladybug (one button per gnome).  The game ends when all the gnomes and mushrooms are covered.

I found this print on etsy.com but you could use stickers or clipart to make your game board.  The ladybug buttons are from Dress It Up and I found them at Joann.

This game works one counting, number value, one-to-one correspondence, and taking turns.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Math Games Mondays - Gnomes by melanieshanks on Polyvore

Little Gnomes 1 - 8 x 10 Art Print/Wall Art - Baby Nursery Decor and...
etsy.com

Math Games Mondays - Horses & Hearts

I think every kid goes through a "Horse Phase", right?

In this household, we are no exception.  Horses have taken over our lives!  We have horse toys, barns, horse rug, horse sweaters, etc!

If your child is "into" something, go with it!  Create learning opportunities around their favorite thing - whether it be a movie, a show, an animal.  If they are interested in it, the learning will be even more exciting!

I found this adorable and rainbow clipart on etsy.  Simply purchase and print one sheet per child on sturdy cardstock (or you could laminate so it lasts longer.  I always laminated my game boards when I taught preschool.)  I purchased a Horse Toob from Safari Ltd at Joann or Michael's.  Now you're ready to play.

Simply roll the dice.  4?  Count out 4 horses.  Now cover 4 heart/squares - one horse per heart/square.  Continue taking turns till all the heart/squares are covered with horses.  This game teaches counting, number value, one-to-one correspondence, and taking turns.

You could adapt this game to fit your child's interests or your weekly preschool theme.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Math Games Mondays - Horses & Hearts by melanieshanks featuring horse home decor

60% OFF SALE Digital Clip Art Clip Art Hearts Spring Summer Clipart...
etsy.com

Math Games Mondays - Bunnies

Easter is less than 2 weeks away!  How did that happen?  I feel like it sneaks up on me every year.  Lots to plan!

So why not have a Math Games Monday with a Bunny twist?

I found this Bunny clipart on etsy.com, the buttons are Dress It Up buttons found on shellysbuttonsandmore.com, and a simple dice.  Nothing fancy here, but a whole lotta learnin' going on!

Print one sheet of bunny clipart per child playing.  Every child should get a handful of carrot buttons (enough to cover each bunny). 

On each turn, the child will roll the dice.  Whatever number is on the dice, the child should count that many carrots, then cover that number of bunnies with the carrots.  Example, if he rolls a 3, he could count out 3 carrots.  Then, he should cover 3 bunnies (one carrot on each bunny).  Continue until all the bunnies are covered!

This game helps with counting, number value, one-to-one correspondence, and taking turns.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Math Games Mondays - Bunnies by melanieshanks featuring quote wall art

Quote wall art
etsy.com

Math Games Mondays - Sloths

I found this adorable Sloth clipart on etsy.com.  I immediately thought Math Game!

Simply print out the sloths on a sheet of cardstock (sturdier for longer use).  Print one per child playing.  Grab a handful of pebbles or rocks and a dice.

Have the child roll the dice.  If he rolls a 5, have him cover 5 sloths with pebbles.  Remember to count individual pebbles. This helps with one-to-one correspondence.  Continue rolling the dice until all of the sloths are covered up!

This game teaches counting, number value, taking turns, and one-to-one correspondence.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Math Games Mondays - Sloths by melanieshanks on Polyvore

60% OFF SALE Digital Clipart Clip Art Sloth animal Cute Animal Clipart...
etsy.com

Math Games Mondays - 10 in a Bed

You know that song 10 in a Bed?  Why not make it come to life?  You can gather up a doll bed and 10 bear buttons (these at Dress It Up buttons - shellysbuttonsandmore.com) As you sing the song, act out the words with your bed and bear buttons.  It's a good exercise in literacy, language development, fun, and bonding.

10 in a bed
and the little one said, "Roll over! Roll over!"
so they all rolled over
and one fell out
There were 9 in the bed...
etc.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

10 in a Bed by melanieshanks on Polyvore

Math Games Mondays - Buttons make great counters

I am not reinventing the wheel here.

Preschool teachers have been using buttons as preschool math counters for a looong time. But I recently discovered Jesse James Dress It Up buttons and my mind started spinning with the possibilities ~ themes and games and sorting.

I first found these adorable buttons at Joann stores then Meijer and Hobby Lobby. Dressitup.com has many many irresistible varieties. I am planning some Math Games Mondays with these cuties. 

Preschool teachers and kindergarten teachers tend to use themes.  Trust me, you will be able to find buttons to fit your theme with Dress It Up buttons.  No, I don't work for them and no, this is not a paid advertisement.  I just love these adorable buttons.  More ideas coming soon.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Buttons make great counters by melanieshanks featuring garden gnomes

Math Games Mondays - Minions

BANANA!!!

Okay, who doesn't like the minions?  They are so funny!  My 3 year old nephew calls them BEE-BOs and even my 17 year old likes them.  One sure fire way to get your kids to learn is to center the games and activities around things they like.

When you think of minions, you think of math, right?  No?  Well, I cam up with a simple math game for Math Games Mondays series all about minions and math.

I found minions playing cards at my local Dollar Tree dollar store and the banana candies (because minions LOOOOVE bananas!) at a local toy store.  So, $1.00 for the playing cards and $1.99 for the candy.  You don't have to use candy.  You can use buttons, pennies, anything you want for counters.

It's a simple one to one correspondence game.  Your child needs to put one banana candy onto each spade or heart.  Have them count "one" then put the candy on, then count "two" and put the candy on.  Do this until they he has the correct number of bananas.  By counting out loud and one at the time, it is showing number value.

Repeat until all 5 spades are covered...

or all  hearts...

or all 3 clubs.

You can adapt this game for anything your child may be interested in at the time. Go with the flow and the learning will flow.

Have a fun & playful day
Mel

Math Games Monday - Penguin Grid Game

It's February and cold here in Ohio.  As we are stuck inside, I am inventing new things are us to do to keep the boredom at bay and the cabin fever away.

 Today, I made a Penguin Grid Game.  I used two pieces of scrapbook paper (JoAnn), glue stick, one die, and a penguin paper punch from EK Success brand.  Kids can help punch out the many min penguins then glue them on in a grid.

 Roll the die then cover that number of penguins with your acrylic hearts that can be found at the Dollar Tree.  OR you can use pennies or M&Ms or anything really.

 Continue you on...

 until you've covered up the whole board.

 My grid has 88 penguins on it - which would be good for a 4-5 year old.  If you are making with a younger child, make your game board with less (maybe 24 or so).  Younger children have a shorter attention span and may lose interest.

I can't wait until Spring, but until then...

Have a Fun & Playful Day!
Mel

Math Games Monday - Roll the Dice Games

Games are fun...and easy to make.

You need very few supplies - paper, glue, cutouts or stickers, 2 penguin game pieces, and a die.  My penguins are from Safari Ltd. Penguins Toob.

Simply map out a twisty path with your snowflakes and glue them on.  If you are using stickers, place them on.  Kids can help make the gameboard.

Roll the die and move that many spaces. Easy, peasy.  You can make these easy game for little money and for any theme you want.  You could coordinate your game to your child's favorite book or movie.

 OR if you have 2 players...you can use the penguins to take turns (patience is a good thing!) to see who reaches the end first.

 So that there's no hard feelings, I always say, "Kate is the first winner. Ethan is the second winner." I learned that from a veteran preschool teacher of 20 years.

 I used Safari Ltd. Penguins from a Toob, but you could use any animal as game pieces.  If it's snow-themed, you could use any polar animals or Anna, Elsa, or Olaf figures like these at the Disney Store as game pieces.

 The possibilities are endless.

Games are great for teaching taking turns, patience, counting, one-to-one correspondence, and family bonding time.

Have a Fun & Playful day!
Mel

Math Games Monday - Love Birds

 Happy Monday!

I decided to do a series of Math Games Mondays for preschoolers.  I was talking to a former classmate who is in the international banking field.  She said, "I think I like preschool math the best - you get to "subtract" M&Ms. Sounds yummy to me!"

Preschool math is sooo important and easy to come up with ideas.  I saw these bird cutouts at my local Dollar Tree dollar store along with the acrylic hearts and an idea sparked!

I simply added a large number to each one and the number word under it.  Add a cup to contain the hearts and wa-la! you have the Love Birds math game.

Easy peasy, right?  You could do duplicate this game a million zillion times using any kind of cutouts that you find.  I had a set for each letter (monkey cutouts for M day, frog cutouts for F day, etc) when I taught preschool.  They got beat up some by all the little hands using them, but these games are cheap to make.

So the child takes a Love Bird. He can read the number or you can read it to him.  Then, he takes one heart at a time and places it on the bird cutout until he reaches the right number.  It is important for the child to count each heart that he places on there and physically slides or places the heart on the bird.  This is one-to-correspondence - an important preschool skill.

The child may need help and that's okay - it's bonding time.  He may want to add too many or not enough.  Just say, "Let's count together."  You can model counting each heart individually.  Children learning by watching us.  :)

Play as long (or short) as he wants.  The idea is to keep it fun and light.  It'll be so fun that they won't even know they are learning.  That is how children learn - by playing.

This game teaches number recognition, number word recognition, one-to-one correspondence, the value of each number, and counting.

Happy Monday & Happy Playing!
Mel

Big Bag of Gems

 What do you do with a big bag of gems?  Well...you decorate a castle and...

 do patterning and...
(this would be great for a princess or pirate theme day at preschool)

 Sort by color and...

 Some of these gems are HUGE.

 It's a 1lb bag that I found at Michael's store.  The bag was $14.99 but I used a coupon.

 You can put them in the sensory table and "dig for treasure".
This container is the perfect toddler size sensory bin.

 The princesses have brought the gems home with them.

 The Lego castle was decorated with gems.

and the "castle box" was decorated too.