A Number A Day - pre Pre-School prep

Well, we've finished "A Letter A Day" and it only seemed right to do "A Number A Day" next. 

A little background: Ivy is 3 years old and itching to learn new things! She's not yet in pre-school (see the reasons why, here) so I'm doing what I can in the meantime to foster her love of knowledge!

So here's how we approached learning A Number A Day:

1- WRITE - I write out the number on a small white board a few times, with Ivy watching me. Then I have her try and write the number herself. If need be, I make a dotted line version of the number for her to trace, or I help her write the number. 

#2- BOOKS - We use a few books that have to do with numbers. We only read up to the page of the number we're on. I don't want to confuse Ivy with all the other numbers at once, but I do want to review the numbers we've already done. I just found books about numbers we already had.

"Count With Me," from a mini Sesame Street collection

 "My Very First Book of Numbers," by Eric Carle

"Ten Little Ladybugs," by Melanie Gerth

#3- CLOCK - Next I use a clock (an awesome hand-me-down from my cousin!) and I ask Ivy to find today's number on the clock. I also look around to see if we can find today's number on other household items: calendar, other books, phones, microwave, etc.

#4- PLAY-DOUGH -  Here's the fun part! We get out the play-dough and use the stencil/cookie cutter things (what is the word for those?!) to make today's number in the play-dough. At this point I let her use all the numbers (0-9) to play around with, so they become familiar to her. 

TIPS

*Be patient! Numbers are new to your child, they're not going to learn them all at once or in one day. Today Ivy insisted that #4 was an 'H.' She also gets I, L, and #1 confused... haha. She'll get it as long as I gently correct her and help her remember. She also may get stuck on not being able to remember a number, but it will eventually click a few days later.

*Talk about the numbers throughout the whole day. Ivy points them out on signs, in the grocery store, on TV, license plates. Learning doesn't stop when your "number lesson" is done.

*Try to do it every day, and at the same time every day. I'll be honest, this doesn't happen for us, but when it does, it's better for all of us. Believe me, Ivy asks for it every single day, even later in the day on the days we've already done it! She asks so much that I get a little frustrated! However, if she knows she can expect it at the same time every day, you have some ground to stand on. 

*Fill in other caregivers. Ivy is watched by me, my husband and both of my parents. I let them all know what she's learning so they can be aware of it and help her out it the opportunity presents itself. 

Ivy turned 3 last month, and it's been... interesting. More emotional than age 2, that's for sure. (For example, Ivy is sobbing over the angle of her sock seam right now). I found this pin on pinterest. It's been helpful. Enjoy! 

Aloha, Rebecca

Source: thechildwhisperer.com via Rebecca on Pinterest