This is the last of three posts on centers. Remember, there are a million variations on these centers. Be creative and try to use what you already have around the house. When you do need to purchase something try the dollar store or yard sales before paying full price.
Numbers – number flashcards,
counters (bingo chips, checkers, connect four pieces, etc.)
Your child pulls out a number card and
counts out the correct number of counters to match.
Patterns – blocks or beads of
various colors and/or shapes, pattern cards
Make pattern cards on index cards with
markers using only the colors/shapes of your blocks/beads. Your
child will pull out a card and repeat the pattern as many times as
possible with the blocks/beads.
Clocks - a simple plastic, cardboard, or wooden learning clock
These are great to use with any type of worksheet dealing with time. Younger ones may just like to play with it or try to make it match the clock on the wall.
For younger ones, just matching up the
dominoes is a good start.
I'd start with double sixes but you can
go higher as they get the hang of adding. The child picks out
dominoes and places them on the worksheet. They count the dots on
each side and write the number. Then they “add” the numbers
together by counting all of the dots. This can also be done for
subtracting but it is a little trickier and they have to understand
to start with the larger number.
For the domino garage, divide a piece
of construction paper into 12 sections by folding or measuring and
drawing lines. Write the numbers 0 through 12 on the sections. Your
child “parks” the domino “cars” in the correct space by
counting or adding up the dots.
This is a simple sorting game that can be used with many concepts, odds and evens are just one example. Your child "feeds" the seals the correct fish. Then you can check their work.
I can't take credit for this idea, but unfortunately I don't remember where I found it.
