Geometry is only one of the six primary strands of math that is considered foundational to later mathematical learning. (The others are number sense, arithmetic operations, algebra, measurement and data analysis and probability, but I’ll save those for future posts). Basic geometric principles connect directly to other mathematical concepts and skills, such as naming, constructing,…
Editable Letter Identification/Sound Assessment for Preschoolers
If your preschooler is learning her letter names and letter sounds, you may be wondering where her skills are. An editable letter identification assessment is what you need to understand exactly what your preschooler is capable of. And there’s a bonus, too! As many of my readers already know, I own and operate a preschool out…
Cooking With Kids and What They Gain From It
William loves to help me cook, but I have to be honest, sometimes I don’t. It typically takes much longer than usual, often makes a huge mess, and it is sometimes very distracting having a little one help. One time William had me so busy we forgot the oil in muffins, which as it turns…
Stacking Can Towers
Remember how I said that I go through phases of saving things I think I might reuse someday, like cardboard tubes, tissue boxes, fancy cookie tins, and canned food tins, for example…well, here is another simple activity that resulted from all the cans I’d saved last winter. (Click here for my post about reusing food…
Number Matching
Every households has a deck of number cards, right? Maybe not a traditional deck of poker cards, but some card game with large numbers printed on colorful cards, like Phase Ten or Uno. These decks of cards make great items to add to your teaching toolbox. They much more durable than paper print outs and…
ABC Letter Stack Game
Here’s a simple letter identification game that is sure to be a tumbling success! Play again and again to practice letters and fine motor skills. One of the many advantages of being the daughter of a cabinet maker is my ongoing access to wood craft supplies. It’s like I have my own private manufacturer because my…
Treasure Rocks
The typical day at our house includes outdoor play after nap time…and outdoor play after dinner time…and, well, outdoor play in the mornings after breakfast, and just about anywhere in between all of the _____ (fill in the blank) times. My kiddies always want to play outside. In fact, I’m fairly convinced that my kids…
Pasta Sort Three Ways
Despite the fact that most states do not have specific standards that support preschool algebra, many educators and parents are providing their students and children with basic math activities that fall under the umbrella of algebraic reasoning. Sorting is a common and well used preschool math activity, and for good reason. It supports the analytical…
