Tag: counting

Feed the birds!

~ bumps2bairns

The weather may have got a bit warmer, but there are lots of hungry birds around

So today’s idea is all about learning about caring for nature – and also a lot of planning and construction skills along the way

There is something about feed birds that makes us feel good too, so once the hard work is done, you can sit and watch the birds come and go.

Don’t worry if your child is not that interested making the feeder (though they may well want to help) – you might have more fun taking bread to ducks, or just putting out some crumbs.

Click here for how to make the feeder and ideas for play!Download

Bouncing balls

~ bumps2bairns

Something active for what looks like another cold day.

This is not “just” bouncing and passing balls. Your child will learn a lot of science and maths – counting, how things move, forces.

Lots of words as well for describing movements, as they also develop their coordination skills. Great for sports, but also for school – hand/eye coordination is really important for writing, and a sense of space is vital for maths

But that’s for the future – click below for some ideas how to have fun, involve the whole family and learn at the same time. And if you still have a lot of snow about, then making and throwing snowballs is just as good

Ball Bouncing PatternsDownload

Let’s Move!

~ bumps2bairns

One of the things people worry about is whether children can sit still. So, how do we learn this? By moving about, of course! As children move, and gain more control, they become more able to focus and be still

But that’s not really that important. Feeling good in your body, feeling in control of it – these are the foundations for resilience, the sense that we can cope with things and can have a go at a challenge

Today is all about moving and laughing. There is counting too, as you have to jump a certain number of times. You’ll need to tailor this to your child as some will know more numbers than others. If your child is secure counting to 2, 3 or 4, then start there and see if you can built another number on.

Or if, like many young children, your child is not that secure with counting at all – then let them jump or kick along with you as you count for them.

If this just turns into random movement, don’t worry – this means your child is developing coordination and that’s what they need right now.

Click here for how to play!Download

Count your chips!

~ bumps2bairns ~ Leave a comment

Learning to count is really hard – there is a lot to think about and get right. It is easy to rush children into counting things before they really understand exactly what they are doing and why

What’s best is to show them counting in a real context when we are getting things done.

Adults are counting things all the time – we just don’t notice it anymore and do it in our heads.

Today’s idea is just to take some of the times during the day when we count things (putting on socks, laying tables, tidying toys, sharing out sprouts) and do it out loud so your child can hear and see – and join in if they can.

If you build this into your regular routine, it can really help with numeracy without having to do any teaching at all.

Click here for ideas how to play!Download

The cow who fell to Earth

~ bumps2bairns

Today a lovely story by Nadia Shireen about a little cow who goes travelling in space!

It is a great story just to enjoy, and it also has learning about what makes groups of people different and how we can all get along (Moon cows are a bit like us, but also not … Woo Woo!)

And to make your child curious about different languages and how they sound. Or if today is a more active day, you can show your child how to slow down by playing counting down games

Or dig out some photos of places you have been and chat about how the people were different there

When everyone is tired, there is always the chance to hear the story again, or do some drawing and mark making all about it.

Click here for the story and play ideas!Download

Handy hands!

~ bumps2bairns

Today’s idea uses something we all have – our hands!

We use our hands to do lots of things but how often do we stop to think about how handy our hands really are? 

Young children are fascinated by their hands and through play they learn to use them in so many different ways. 

You can have fun with your child exploring different ways of using hands and they will begin to understand just how important their hands are.

Have a happy handy hands day! And remember to wash them often.

Click here for play ideasDownload

Number spotting!

~ bumps2bairns

There are numbers everywhere, and just by pointing them out and chatting to your child about them, they will learn lots about maths and how it works

See how many you can spot – and around you don’t usually notice?

And the different forms – clocks, house signs, addresses, phone numbers, recipes, games …

You might be surprised how often you use counting just running a home – see if you can do some of this out loud with your child!

Click here for ideas!Download

Bouncing balls

~ bumps2bairns

Something active for the end of the week and hoping for some good weather at the weekend too

This is not “just” bouncing and passing balls. Your child will learn a lot of science and maths – counting, how things move, forces.

Lots of words as well for describing movements, as they also develop their coordination skills. Great for sports, but also for school – hand/eye coordination is really important for writing, and a sense of space is vital for maths

But that’s for the future – click below for some ideas how to have fun, involve the whole family and learn at the same time

Ball Bouncing PatternsDownload

Five speckled frogs

~ bumps2bairns

Some helpful frogs are going to sing along with us today so we can learn about numbers and about nature – and have fun jumping too!

You can act out this song, and take it outside – or move on to looking up facts about frogs and toads

Whether you sing like an opera star or a toad in a pond, it is a great way to have fun with your child while they learn

Click here for words, video and play ideas!Download

And some cut out pictures to play with too:

A logDownload
Some frogsDownload
And a pondDownload

Plop Bucket

~ bumps2bairns

Today’s idea is very simple – all you need is a bucket of water and some cleaned coins

But from this play, children can learn about taking turns, can develop their hand-eye coordination (really useful for writing later on, not to mention sports)

And they can count out their winnings, learn about different coin values – all the while doing some science as they watch the way coins float and fall in water!

All the family can play – you can even challenge the grandparents over a video-call …

Click here for how to play & extendDownload

Tiny Treasure Chest

~ bumps2bairns ~ Leave a comment

Who would have thought your home was full of treasure!

And treasure that can help your child learn all about exploring, how to be curious, how to count and categorise and how to learn about stories and history

This is a really simple game that all the family can play, and that grandparents or others can join in on Skype or FaceTime or similar

The trick is you have to use a really, really, really small treasure chest

Click here for how to play!Download

Snakes and Ladders

~ bumps2bairns ~ Leave a comment

As we all know at the moment, life has its ups and downs. Do you ever wonder how we learned to cope with them?

Schools are on holiday in Highland, so this week’s ideas are all about playing and fun.

But Snakes and Ladders is also a great way to understand numbers and how to count. At the same time, we learn how to cope with setbacks (even funny ones). And the whole family can play and feel together at this time.

Already know how to play? You’ll find some ideas here to make it more fun (and amuse your child for longer) by making your own board – or taking it outside and being “living pieces”!

Click here for a printable guideDownload