Shapes

Sand Writing - Fill a small box with sand.  Practice drawing shapes with fingers.

Hot Glue Tracing - Draw shapes with hot glue.  Once it has cooled have child trace it with his/her finger.

Copier - Place 3-4 small items (like shaped erasers) in a line on a copier and print it in color.  Give the child the paper and they toys.  They can match the items to the pictures.

Line Drawing - Draw some shapes/lines.  Have your child use the shapes to make a picture.

Numbers

These methods are for writing numbers and number comprehension.  For counting, patterns, etc. return to the Methods page and select the respective category.

Sand Writing - Fill a small box (approx 6"x4"2") with sand.  Print cards with numbers.  Have child draw the numbers in the sand.

Playdough Sheets - Print and laminate cards with numbers.  Have child roll playdough and place it on the card tracing the numbers.

Wet Noodles - Cook up some spaghetti and let your child explore.  Shape the noodles into numbers.

Hot Glue Tracing - Write numbers with hot glue.  Once the glue has cooled have the child trace it with his/her fingers. 

Toy Letters - Gather similarly colored toys.  Use the toys to make giant numbers on the floor.



Fill in the Missing Number - Make cards that have a missing number (1 2 3 _ 5) and have the child fill in the blanks.


Estimating - Once your child has a firm grasp on counting try estimating items (How many pickles in the jar?).  Have the child count the items to see how close he/she was.

Letters, Writing, Prewriting

Sand Writing - Fill a small box (approx 6"x4"2") with sand.  Print cards with shapes/letters.  For young toddlers have them copy a shape (straight line, zigzag, curvy line, etc).  When your child is ready move on to letters.

Playdough Sheets - Print and laminate cards with letters or words.  Have child roll playdough and place it on the card tracing the letters.

Wet Noodles - Cook up some spaghetti and let your child explore.  Shape the noodles into letters or shapes.

Hot Glue Tracing - Write letters/words with hot glue.  Once the glue has cooled have the child trace it with his/her fingers.

Toy Letters - Gather similarly colored toys.  Use the toys to make giant letters on the floor.

Bottle Cap Words - Collect plastic bottle caps.  Once you have gathered enough write a lowercase letter on each one (you'll want doubles/triples of some letters).  You can print cards with words (so child matches bottle cap to card) or just spell words with them.

MagnaDoodle - Practice writing letters and then easily erase them with a MagnaDoodle (or similar toy).

Letter Box - Give child a box of items that start with a certain letter.