Teaching numbers through physical play.

This week at our Action Tots class (http://www.totsplay.co.uk/)  have been learning about numbers.

There are lots of fun and easy ways to introduce counting and numbers into activities with your toddler - here are a couple of ideas to try at home.

1,2,3,4,5 Obstacle Course.
Set up an obstacle/activity course for your toddler involving 1 thing, then 2, then 3 etc
For example climb over one cushion, run twice around the living room, put three toys in a box, roll over 4 times along the floor, do 5 star jumps.... If you are able to play outside you can use whatever garden toys you might have. Involve your child in what to include in the activity course if you can. Make sure you help your child count the number of times they are doing each element of the course to reinforce their numbers. For older toddlers you could count how long it takes them to complete the course, and then challenge them to do it even faster.

Activity Dice.
During class we often use our big soft dice in our activities. This is great to help develop counting skills because each time the dice is thrown we point to the dots and count them out loud together.
You can use a normal board game dice at home, as long as you are supervising younger toddlers closely so that it does not go in their mouth - or you can buy large inflatable dice as well as the soft foam kind. Alternatively you could make your own dice out of a cube shaped box, and draw or stick dots on each side.

As well as just throwing the dice and counting the dots you can add to the game by choosing an action or activity to be performed however many times the dice says.  Example might be, jump on the spot, turn around, clap your hands etc. Or you could choose an activity depending on what number the dice lands on, for example if you throw a number one you play catch in the garden, throw a two and you build a tower out of blocks.
 
Lots more activities here soon - give them a try and let us know what you think.

Have a great day playing with your little one.

Introducing Tots Play Extra

Tots Play classes (Developmental Play classes for the Under Fives) have been running for a few months now and we have just started the new Autumn Term.

We do lots of fun activities at our classes, but although it may not always seem like it (!) everything we do is carefully planned and included for its contribution to the development of the children participating.

During class it is not always possible to explain all the reasons behind what we do, so this blog will talk about how and why a selection of our activities are beneficial for our little ones, and also give some ideas of things to do at home to continue the Tots Play experience!

We will also add some of these ideas as well as suggested resources to our website www.totsplay.co.uk - so make sure you visit us there as well.

Even if you are not able to join us at our classes I hope these posts will help you and your little one to have fun and learn together.