Which One is Different

You find them in most activity/coloring books – the which picture doesn’t belong activities.  These are a great way for your child to work on her comparing and contrasting skills.  Here are a few you can print off to give her a head start.

Compare/Contrast worksheets.

Venn Diagrams

Venn Diagrams are great tools that you can use with any age group as you learn together.  A Venn Diagram is made up of two circles that slightly overlap, like this.  Let’s say you are reading a book about cats and dogs.  Over one circle, you would write “cats”, over the other circle you would write “dogs”.  In the cat’s circle you might write things like: use a litter box, clean themselves, stay at home etc.  In the dog’s circle you could write things like: need to be let out or walked to potty, need baths, can travel with you.  Then, in the middle part of the circles, you would put things that both cats and dogs have in common like: furry, you can play with them, you have to feed them etc.

Obviously, the expectations of what is included in the Venn Diagram will change as the child grows older.  You can use a Venn Diagram to compare things for math, science, characters or situations in a book. Although they aren’t traditionally used this way, you can even use Venn Diagrams when trying to make a choice (like if the family should get a pet dog or a cat).

For children who are still learning to write, you can let them dictate what to put on the diagram, or you can let them draw pictures.

What to Wear?

It’s time for your little one to put his clothes on and get ready for the day.  This is a wonderful time to give your child an opportunity to compare and contrast.  Pick out two outfits for your child.  (Make sure the choices are different and that you’re okay with whichever choice your child makes.) As your child is making the decision ask him questions about the colors of the clothes, if they are too hot or too cold etc.  Once the outfit is chosen, ask your child why he picked that one.  The answer may be short, and maybe even a little funny, but this process helps your child develop the necessary skill of comparing and contrasting.

Math with Cups

For this activity can use either paper cups, or regular cups with sticky notes on them. Write a number on each cup from 0 to 20 (or better yet, let your child write the numbers).  Have your little one put the corresponding number of items into each cup. For example, if the cup says 3, your child will put three pennies (or any other small object) in the cup. When she’s done, have your child line the cups up in order, 0-20, then practice counting as you both check all the cups together. You will be surprised at how long this simple activity can occupy your child’s fascination.

Putting Away the Silverware

It’s time to unload the dishwasher. Grab your kindergartener to help you for a fun, educational experience. Let your child sort the silverware and put it in the right place (i.e. forks go with forks, spoons go with spoons, etc.) Kids need to learn how to sort and classify lots of things.  Can you think of any other household chores that give your child an opportunity to increase this skill?

Math Hike

Take a bag with you as you and your family go on a fun hike.  You can hike on trails, at a park, or even in your back yard.  As you walk, pick up any fun treasures you might find like twigs, cool rocks, leaves, etc. At the end of your excursion dump out your spoil and have fun sorting and classifying what you found.  Here are a few ideas of ways you can sort things to get you started:

• color
• shape
• size
• type

For added educational benefit, you can count all the items you found.  You can also count how many things are blue, or how many things are round, etc.

Fun With Notecards – Number Race

All  you need for this fun game is 20 notecards (size of your choice), something to write with, a stopwatch, and some floor space (if the weather is nice, you can even play this one outside). For all game variations you will want to start by writing one number on each notecard from 1-20. (This is something your little learner can do with or without your help.) Then, shuffle the cards really well.

Option #1 – Getting Started

For beginners, simply give your child the cards and help him put them in order. When he’s all done, go through the cards, counting with him. Help him fix any mistakes and then applaud him for a job well done.

Option #2 – A Race against time

Give your child the stack of cards and tell her when to go.  Watch as she quickly scrambles around to put the notecards in order from one to twenty.  When she’s done, she’ll say STOP. Stop the time and check her answers.  Help her fix any mistakes.  Then, do it again to see if she can beat her time.  Keep track of her best time and try again in a few days to see how fast she can get.

Option #3 – Team Work

This option can include all members of the family. Shuffle the cards and pass them out one at a time until all cards are gone.  Line up and have each family member place his or her card where it should go on the number line.  Time yourselves and see how fast you can do it. Work hard to decrease your time the more you play.

You can also play this version as a race. You will need another set of cards.  Split up into two teams and see who can get theirs in order the quickest.

Game Review – Guess Who

Guess Who has been around for years, and is a game I enjoyed playing as a child. I never imagined that, as I was playing, I was actually learning math. Guess who gives children a wonderful opportunity to recognize and explain how objects (or in this case people) can be classified. Classic questions like, “Does your person have red hair?” or “Is your person a man?” Make this a great game to get kids thinking like a mathematician, ready to sort anything that comes their way.

Laundry Time

Having your kindergartener help you with the laundry is a great way to get all sorts of wonderful math learning in. As you prepare the laundry to go into the wash machine, you can have your child help you sort the clothes by color. Later, when you’re ready to fold, he can help you sort the clothes by type (i.e. shirts, pants, etc.).  When you have the socks left, have your little one help you pair socks together.  Who knew that laundry time could be so educational?