by Melissa Jaramillo and Julie Snyder
Numbers...they are everywhere! They show up on birthday cakes, on price stickers, on TV channels, game boards, everywhere! Numbers and math don't have to be daunting however. In fact, the more you become familiar with them the greater "Math Wiz" you'll be! Create our "Counting Box" below and then use it -- often! Enjoy!
Materials Needed:
- Empty Egg Carton (with lid)
- Tempera Paints (Optional)
- Black or dark colored marker
- 78 Counting objects (beans, coins, buttons)
Directions for creating your counting box:
Paint entire egg carton however you wish. After it dries, number each spot in order from one to twelve in the bottom with your marker. You may wish to also write it at the top, directly near the edge of the cup.
Possible Uses:
Matching Numbers
For this game pile your beans (or other objects) in front of you. Match the number with the beans. For instance, put one bean in the cup numbered one; two beans in the cup numbered two; and so on.
Counting Fun
For this game have the correct number of beans in each cup. Now practice counting by taking the beans out of one cup at a time and see that you count the right number. (For early learners, repetition is key! Always start with the number one and move up. Since they have to repeatedly say the lower numbers they will correctly learn these in the right order.
Addition and Subtraction
Set up the game with the correct number of beans in each container cup. Now start with the cup numbered 1. Show your child by pointing to the first (#1) and the second (#2) that this would be 1 + 2 would equal the next number. What is it? If they do not know then help them by counting the beans from each cup you are adding. Have your child "compare answers" by removing the beans from the #3 cup and seeing if it is the same. Another example -- 5 + 4. Start with the #5 cup and move "up" four spaces. What number is it? Check your answer.
For subtraction, just do the opposite and count *down* the number of spaces indicated by the problem. For instance, 7 - 2 is the problem. The child would start at the #7 cup and move down 2 spaces. Always have them check their answers.
What other games can you come up with? Feel free to create your own! After you are done, close the lid and put your counting box away for another day!
Julie Snyder is a mom of six, interested in kids, pregnancy, birth, people and lives in the outlying Seattle area. Melissa Jaramillo is mom to many. She's passionate about building, encouraging, and strengthening families on this adventure known as parenthood!
Copyright © Melissa Jaramillo and Julie Snyder. Permission to republish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.
