A friend asked me the other day for more number activities to introduce to her little one who is unfamiliar with numbers, though she said her little one is familiar with letters. This is sort of common because we are so eager to teach our little ones their ABCs we initially neglect their 123s. However, it is just as important to teach number recognition as it is to teach letter recognition, and today I made a little printable so that you can reinforce/teach numbers to your little one. The final “answer sheet” will look something like this:
I use this number search printable as a means of providing an example of what number your little one is looking for as well as requiring them to find that same number and color it in, focusing on the formation of the letter as they color it in. Then the little one will color in every other number that is not a “5” a different color.
Click on the link below to download the PDF or click the purchase button 🙂
I don’t know if I have ever gone over one of the most important lessons on handwriting that you can have with your little one, but if I have, here is a refresher…
Teaching your little one the proper pencil grip is so important for their writing development. Using the tripod grasp must be learned and practiced over and over before the fine motor skills and coordination are developed and it becomes habitual. So, because I don’t need to reinvent the wheel, I am going to point you to simple resources where you can read about AND watch a little instructional video on HOW to teach your little one to hold a pencil properly. Let me know how it goes 🙂
My niece’s birthday is right around the corner so I am making her a book; I decided to share a sneak peek with my mommy teachers.
These are some of the materials I am using:
magazine tear-outs
ribbon
scrapbook paper
hole-punch (and a drill for the cardboard)
24″ x 12″ piece of cardboard
I cut a cardboard box that creased in the middle into a 24″ x 12″ foldable. Then I covered the outside and inside with cute scrapbook paper and a fun little title “Things To Do Just Me and You.”
I asked my husband to drill holes though the entire book (minus the pages) that I will use to bind the book with a ribbon. I am going to hole punch the pages for cleaner lines.
Next, I decorated the inside with pictures that I cut out from magazines. Each page will have a little date idea for us. This page is going to say: “We can pick out your birthday cake” and “We can go to the candy shop.”
This page is going to say something like: “We can make ice cream cones.”
Each page is going to begin with “we can” so that some of the text will be repetitive and the rest of the text will require her to use her reading strategies. I will share the final product when I get it done, but for now I hope this idea gives you a fun craft-book idea to make with/for your little one.
Simplicity is my middle name so expect nothing less from today’s activity…QUALITY simplicity. You will learn nothing new and inventive, but I will refresh your daily agenda with something I am hoping you will incorporate in today’s time with your little one.
Last time my friend Casey stopped by with her precious little boys we had some adult talk time and then she spent some time on the floor with James playing cards. I love this about Casey….she is so intentional.
I saw the wheels’ turning as James was recognizing the numbers on the
cards, problem solving, and strategizing.
This activity provides great opportunities for social development to teach your little one how to be a good sport, to encourage other players, and to be a positive player who does not have self pity in poor luck.
Some children have no problem going to town on a meal, while others are more selective about what and how often they eat. Once your little one is old enough to communicate with you about these things, it is important to be clear and consistent at dinner time.
Dinner time can be super frustrating if you have a little one who is very stubborn when it comes to eating what you have prepared. This post is NOT the end all – be all for what works and what doesn’t because you definitely have to INDIVIDUALIZE when it comes to meal plans. Some children are over-eating and you have to help them with portion control, while others are not getting enough nutritional value in their day.
Here are a few of MY tips:
1. If you plan to eat dinner at 6, don’t let your little one snack later than 3:00…Come on, I am rarely hungry at 6:00 if I have been munching prior to dinner time.
2. Allow them to choose: would you like to take 4 bites of green beans and 5 bites of chicken or 5 bites of green beans and 4 bites of chicken? It sounds meticulous but just by their ownership of their caloric intake you might have slightly less of a battle.
3. Make a little placemat – laminate it and put it under their plate as a constant reminder….each night put a star next to each food group they ate, or a star next to how “happy” their plate was, or whatever incentive plan you choose (maybe dessert).
4. Provide a little variety for the food groups they dislike, don’t completely cater to their taste buds, but find out what veggies your little one actually likes by varying your side dishes.
5. Be clear and consistent when it comes to the promise or loss of privilege of dessert. If they have to eat a certain amount of bites before dessert, don’t give in when everyone else is enjoying their dessert – stick to your consequence.
6. Make you or your spouse out to be a champion “Daddy has big muscles because he eats his chicken!” or “Mommy is so healthy because she eats her green beans!”
7. Bring some reality in to the picture: “I would hate for you to have to go to the doctor because you didn’t give your body what it needs. We need to take care of the bodies that God has given us.”
8. Come up with a fun family incentive, “Let’s eat all our dinner in the next 10 minutes so that we can clear the table and play a game!”
If you don’t agree with these tips or they don’t apply to you then try new modes of motivation, but stick to what works! Try to make dinner a positive experience so that family dinners are a special event rather than a dreaded occasion.
