Shapes and Colors

Shapes and colors are one of those things that I think kids learn through repetition. They are constantly surrounded by shapes and colors so it's easy to teach about them in a less formal way too. Plus, there are so many great books that are all about shapes and colors. That's what I think really did for my kids. Read read read!!
But I found this fun blog where this woman has put together tons of ideas for how to teach kids things. And I thought her shapes and color pages were full of fun things to do including activities, games and songs! So check it out and maybe get some ideas of fun things to do while we are all trapped inside this winter!

Super Fun Mama: Shapes

Super Fun Mama: Colors

...as easy as 1,2,3

My daughter has always loved songs, reading and games (like every other toddler, right?) so here are a few examples of what we do to reinforce numbers.

1. Ten In A Bed Action poem (you can find other great ideas here... http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/counting-theme.htm)
   There were ten in a bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." (do arms rolling motion)
   So they all rolled over and one fell out.
   There were nine in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." So they all rolled over and one fell out....
   (This is repeated until you get to the number one. Each time "roll over" is said, rolling motion is dramatized.)
   There was one in the bed and the little one said, "Good night!"
2. 5 little monkeys book or 10 Little Ladybugs
3. When she was first learning to count, we'd count everything...stairs we were going down, number of pretzels she was eating, etc.
4. Spaghetti play (or string, or pipe cleaners)..now that she is learning how to read numbers we practice making them with these things. I've also practiced with her by writing them on her magna doodle.
5. Playing Hide and Seek...she loves this game and I realized it helped her a ton as she learned to count to 20 and beyond.

Sesame Street

I hope I don't regret saying this but my oldest son used to watch Sesame Street a lot and I'm convinced he mostly learned how to count from that. Not to say my husband and I didn't play a big part (we also had number magnets, flashcards and counting games) but he's always been very fascinated by numbers and I think that fascination started from all the counting and number songs/rhymes they do on Sesame Street! So, I'm definitely not promoting the replacement of moms with TV but if you ever need a break or have to get something done and you're going to let your child watch a TV show anyway (admit it, we all do it!) I think Sesame Street is at least a good show kids can watch and actually learn something from.

Counting fun

Our girls learned to count pretty early because they LOVE temporary tatoos. Since you have to hold the wet washcloth on the tatoo for 30 seconds, we would start by counting to 10 three times, and then just go straight through to 30 once they got ten down.

Also, before we go anywhere, they both have to sit on the toilet and count to thirty, even if they say they don't have to go. Also, if one person has to use the restroom when we're out, everyone has to go and count to thirty. They get counting practice, and I have fewer pit stops! :)

Hopscotch Counting

I'm excited about this new section because I definitely need help in the teaching department - great idea! The key to counting for us has been just trying to add it into everyday activities (how many grapes do you have?, etc.). But, one fun way for our daughter has been playing hopscotch. As she jumped we would count the numbers and it really started to teach her the number symbols as well. I don't know if our little boy will enjoy it as much, but it was definitely a hit for the girls!

Teaching MOMents

I noticed from our poll last week that many of us worry about teaching our children. This is something that I am constantly thinking about. A lot of what we teach our children is done through our example or the examples of others but some of it comes when we take the time to plan, prepare and sit down with our children and teach them temporal and spiritual knowledge.

One of our main objectives with Mommy Diaries is to work together to make us better moms. So we are starting a new section devoted to "Teaching MOMents" where we can share ways that we teach our children...primarily children 0-5 years old. We will be having a weekly theme (much like the weekly ingredient) and we hope you'll share insights on how you teach your children and what works (or doesn't work!) for you.

Happy teaching!