Here is a simple math game that you can play with your children when you’re in the car or when you simply have time to kill. It helps to enforce their knowledge of number sequencing and the idea of more/less. I’m sure you may have played this game before. Anyhow, this is how it goes:
1. Tell them that you are thinking of a number between 1-100 (maximum number depends on your child’s abilities. For children just learning about numbers, keep it simple between 1-10).
2. Let them guess a number and you will tell them if the number in your head is more or less than the number they mentioned.
Tips:
For my 6 year old daughter, I had to teach her how to systematically narrow down the possible numbers. For example, she guessed 11 and I said more, then she guess 20 and I said less. I had to blatantly point out that the number must then be between 11 and 20. This makes sense to us grownups but for a child that is a math beginner, don’t assume they already possess this kind of logical thinking.
They also need to be told to remember and to pay attention to what numbers they pick. They think its fun just yelling out whatever number. You have to remind them that there is a technique to guessing the right number. It does not help to just randomly pick numbers.
Want to make it more challenging, tell them that they have a limited number of guesses. For example, they can only guess 10 times.
Add in an element of fun. For example, if they can guess the number by their 10th try, they can squirt your face with water or powder your face. If not, you get to do it to them.
So next time you need something to occupy your child’s time, play this game. Also comes in handy for adults trying to kill time
Here are 10 tips on how to get your child involved when sharing a book together. When running through this list, do consider the age of your child and his/her capabilities.
If it’s a book that you have never read before, introduce the cover page and book title then have them guess what the book might be about.
Ask them to identify where the story begins. We may think it is common knowledge to know which is the front / back of the book, where is the first page, where do the words start on a page etc… but very young children have to be taught these things.
Run your fingers under the words as you read. This will help them make the connection that the print in the book is important i.e. the words tell the story and mommy/daddy is not just making up the words. It also shows them that reading goes from left - right.
Have them turn the pages for you. BabyD is now 10 months and he can turn the pages of his board books (with a little help of course). So, this is something you can do even if they are very young.
Talk about the illustrations in the book. Link them to words on the page. This way they learn that pictures prompt the words and the story.
Elaborate on the story to increase their understanding. Connect the story and the characters to their own life. For example, “Do you remember when you fell down, like the little boy in this story?”
Encourage them to make predictions. Before you turn the page, have them guess what might happen. Children love suspense.
If it’s a book that you have read many times, have them retell the story to you. It’s okay if they can’t read yet. Encourage them to use the pictures in the book as a guide.
Leave out keywords for them to fill in. Children will usually memorize familiar stories.
Ask them to find a certain word on the page. It could be like the “I spy…” game. Children just learning the sounds of the alphabets could be prompted to find a word that begins with a particular sound. For example, “I spy with my little eye a word that begins with /c/”.
When my children were babies, I would sing nursery rhymes to them. Favorite ones were Humpty Dumpty, Hey Diddle Diddle, Jack and Jill, and Itsy Bitsy Spider. Not only does it entertain them, but it helps to build their language and reading skills later on. Rhymes have many benefits:
It’s a great learning tool because it is fun. It is easy to learn and easy to remember.
It helps them be familiar with word families such as cat, mat, rat, fat or hit, fit, kit, bit.
Helps build their phonological awareness. Meaning they learn to distinguish the different sounds in words. This skill is important to their reading success.
Develops their ability to recognize language patterns and structure.
When learning to read, they can use their knowledge of rhymes to help them predict words they do not know.
Don’t assume your child is learning to rhyme in preschool/kindergarten. My bet is they will first be taught to recognize the alphabets and the sounds of the alphabets. Then they will learn to identify the initial/first sound of objects. For example, /a/ for apple, /b/ for ball etc…. With my children, I found when they had polished up their ability to recognize initial sound, they started to have problems with their rhyming skills. For example, I would ask “what rhymes with ball?” and they would say “bat.” Their concept of rhyming was confused with using a word with the same initial sound.
Anyway, just saying that rhyming is a great learning tool and even though your child is going to school, you should check to see if their rhyming abilities are being cultivated. Some of the things I’ve done with my kids to help them learn rhyme:
Worksheets where they have to match pictures that rhyme (not words but pictures).
Our latest game is an expansion of the “what rhymes with…” game. We would pick two rhyming words and then create sentences. E.g. Fat and Hat
I ate so much I grew so fat
And then I couldn’t wear my hat
Doesn’t matter if it is ridiculous. Actually, children love ridiculous.
So, have a good time
Learning to rhyme
Make up good ones
While eating your buns
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