Little Brother is just a few months shy of being the exact same age that Big Brother was when I started this blog! Crazy! As with most second-born children, I am much more relaxed this time around. I now understand that we can take our time with all the letters, numbers, and shapes and just enjoy playing together, while still sprinkling a little bit of learning in now and then!
We had a lot of fun using animal crackers as math manipulatives today. I haven’t “formally” introduced numbers to Little Brother yet, but this activity goes to show how easy it is to incorporate learning into your every day routine…even when eating a snack!
Here’s what you’ll need: A piece of construction paper, a marker, and animal crackers (or another snack).
1. On a piece of construction paper, make 4 boxes and write the numeral 1-4 in each of the boxes.
2. Line up 10 animal crackers to the side.
3. Point to each number, saying it aloud. Then count the corresponding number of animal crackers while your little one puts them on the paper.
And the best part is eating the “manipulatives”!
