Do you have an abacus in your home?

For some odd reason, we do not have one.  It seems like something we would have since I love to buy learning toys.  One of our family’s favorite stores is Lakeshore Learning Store. If you have not shopped there, I highly recommend it!

Sorry, back to the abacus topic… I was looking through a math resource book when I came across an idea to make a homemade abacus.  I thought this would be a great activity to do with my preschooler (actually my 1st grader may enjoy this activity as well).  Not only will my daughter love making a project out of cereal, but we can work on counting, adding and subtracting.

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Do you ever teach math using craft projects?

Most children love to do arts and crafts.  Their theory is: the stickier and messier, the better.  If you add food to the project, they are thrilled!

Today’s craft activity of a gumdrop tree will be a big hit because it involves candy.  From an educational standpoint, it will help build both math and fine motor skills.

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What is the most common phrase parents will hear over winter break?

I’m bored.  There’s nothing to do.

Followed by the second most popular phrase,

I’m hungry.

Most children truly enjoy being home for break.  Time to sleep in, play with their toys and maybe schedule a sleepover at a  friend’s house.  However parents will find that as the anticipation for Christmas draws near some children just don’t know what to do with themselves.  This is the time when parents will hear, “I’m bored.”

Parents, as soon as this phrase leaves your child’s mouth you need to be prepared and hand him/her a fun (yet educational and time consuming) winter holiday worksheet.

A number of children will enjoy connecting the dots on Santa’s beard and others will learn to find something to do before discussing their state of boredom.

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Are you incorporating the holidays into daily activities?

The holidays are a great time to learn about history and religion but it also provides parents and educators with endless possibilities from all the academic areas.

From writing letters to Santa to scooping cotton balls into buckets, most preschool and elementary children find great joy in doing holiday and winter activities.

Even a simple holiday treat like the Candy Cane can be used for a number of educational activities.

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Do your children play with dominoes?

Lately my son has been bringing home math worksheets with dominoes on them.  For some activities he has to add up the dots, other times he is given a number and has to make his own dots.

At first I thought this was a rather simple and pointless activity (yes, always a skeptic).  However it truly is good practice of building simple math skills.  The ability to look at something and quickly know how many objects there are, is something that take time and practice.  Using dominoes is a great hands on way to accomplish this.

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