"Roll" Modelling

     This video is a superb video that helps children correlate the relation to the word number vs the actual number. Hearing and saying a number is not the same as seeing a number. Children often have a hard time understanding the value of number words and numbers. Many children, even have a hard time identifying numbers when seeing numbers in their number form, as they are often used to hearing it than seeing the actual number.
     This video teaches children how to count from 1-20, but while also teaching counting, it also teaches children to understand the relationship with the spoken number and the visual. Not only does this video show the correlating number to the spoken sound, they also have a step by step of how to mould each number. This is a great model to follow for children who may need to practice gross and fine gross motor skills. Furthermore, once children are comfortable with moulding, they can practice without using the visual aid. By seeing and forming the numbers, children will be able to gain a sense of awareness regarding their knowledge on counting.

Resource links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLSFl7n0QCo

Learning Through the Arts

          With many schools going green nowadays limiting educators to photocopying maximums in a year, it is important to be able to recognize that there are other ways than learning through homework such as handouts and assessments. Why not learn through the arts? This method is a unique method that allows educators to theory build through another subject, however still preserve the true form and not lose the two distinct messages of learning and the art form.
          In this activity, using cut outs of numbers in different materials to make portraits or pictures is a unique way to kill two birds with one stone. One, application of math knowledge is present, but also creativity, stemming from a constructivist point of view.

Resource Links
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You Can Have Your Snacks and Eat It Too

       For parents, this is a wonderful way for you to practice counting with your child! Making their own counting snack mat is a wonderful way for them to enjoy snack and math both at once! Take your child to the grocery store, where they can select their own healthy snacks - gummies, cereal, grapes, blueberries, fruit etc. The more variety, the better as they practice healthy eating and counting. Draw an area of empty rings and have your children place a snack in each ring, counting to either the number listed or the number given to them. No matter what you do, they can't eat their snack until they count for you.
      Since children like to play with their food when eating anyway, why not give them a reason to sort and play with their food. In this case, they would be making connections to numbers and value.

Resource links

http://fun-a-day.com/snack-math-for-preschoolers-with-box-tops-for-education/#_a5y_p=4418281

I Spy With My Little Eye.....

     Why not have children relate their learning experience to the real world? Math is the one thing that is universal and can connect with every children as it is the same language across. This activity can be manipulated if educators want to relate the math topic to a science unit such as seasons or plants, or could be a good introduction to science inquiry, by allowing the students to explore their environment. In the picture(s) below, are examples of possible prompts and instructions for children. Including numbers in the lists will ensure that children will have to count in order to make sure they have the right amount, while the scavenger hunt list will give them a variety things to look at and spark interest. 

Resource links:

http://theeducatorsspinonit.com/2016/09/number-leaf-scavenger-hunt.html

Using Sing Song to Count

           Pete The Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons is a fun interactive way to practice singing, gross and fine gross motor skills along with fundamental math skills. This book in particular focuses on counting to four, which is very good for young preschoolers up until kindergarten years.
           Young children love to sing, and learn many skills and knowledge unconsciously by singing. This is no different, as the song is very catchy and children will sing to the song. This book covers basic counting but also subtraction as well. With the colourful visuals children are able to use their fingers and count. In addition to the fun book, and song, this book offers a large variety of activities that can be used to extend learning for young children. For one, children can act out the store using cutouts made out of felt, using actual buttons, etc, or even making their own four button shirt!

But there's more. The fun doesn't have to end there! Children don't have to follow the four button rule, they can use as many buttons as they'd like, and make their own song. Even further, children and educators can manipulate the song, and use it accordingly to different objects and stories. Ie: My rocks, my rocks,my four groovy rocks instead of buttons, allowing for creativity to stir from children. 

Resource links
http://enjoythelearningjourney.com/pete-the-cat-activities/
https://vimeo.com/52017136