THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDS-ON Learning for Teaching Toddlers Counting & NUmbers

The Importance of Hands-On Learning for Teaching Toddlers to Count

As parents and caregivers, it's important to provide young children with the tools they need to learn and grow. One of the most fundamental skills children will learn is counting. However, teaching counting to toddlers can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are many hands-on tools and resources available that can make this process more engaging and effective for young learners.

One of the most effective ways to teach counting to toddlers is through play. Play-doh, toys, and other hands-on materials can be used to help children understand the concepts of numbers and counting. For example, using play-doh to create the numbers 1-10, and then having the child count the number of play-doh balls, can be a fun and interactive way for children to learn about numbers and counting.

Another great tool for teaching counting to toddlers is foam numbers. These soft and tactile numbers can be used in a variety of ways, such as having the child match the number to the corresponding number of objects, or having the child arrange the numbers in order.

Number mats are also a great tool for teaching counting to toddlers. These mats often feature numbers and corresponding images, which can help children make connections between the numbers and the objects they represent. For example, a number mat with the number 1 and a picture of a apple, number 2 and a picture of two apple.

One of the most effective and versatile tools for teaching counting to toddlers is a numbers placemat. This type of placemat is specifically designed to help children learn and practice counting. It usually feature numbers and corresponding images, and can be used in a variety of ways such as counting the number of objects, matching numbers to the corresponding number of objects, and more.

In conclusion, teaching counting to toddlers can be a fun and engaging experience when using the right tools and resources. Hands-on materials like play-doh, foam numbers, number mats, and numbers placemat can make the learning process more interactive and effective for young learners. As parents and caregivers, it's important to invest in these types of resources to give children the best possible start in their educational journey.

You can order our Numbers Placemat on our website and give your child a fun and interactive way to learn numbers and counting.

Learning Numbers & Counting Sample Week-long Lesson Plan

Day 1: Introduction to numbers

  • Introduce numbers 1-5 to the class using number flashcards and counting objects (such as blocks or counting bears)

  • Have the students practice counting aloud with the class

  • Play number matching games (such as matching the number flashcard to the corresponding number of objects)

Day 2: Counting up to 10

  • Introduce numbers 6-10 to the class

  • Have the students practice counting up to 10 with the class

  • Play counting games, such as "I Spy" with numbers or counting how many of a certain object are in the room

Day 3: One-to-one correspondence

  • Introduce the concept of one-to-one correspondence (matching each object to one number)

  • Have the students practice counting objects and matching them to the corresponding number

  • Play games such as "Feed the Monster" where the students take turns counting out the correct number of objects to feed to a stuffed monster

Day 4: Number recognition

  • Review numbers 1-10 with the class

  • Have the students practice recognizing numbers in different forms (such as written numerals, number flashcards, and counting objects)

  • Play number matching games, such as matching written numerals to the corresponding number of objects

Day 5: Counting beyond 10

  • Introduce the concept of counting beyond 10

  • Have the students practice counting up to 20 with the class

  • Play counting games, such as counting how many steps it takes to get from one side of the room to the other

Day 6: Review and assessment

  • Review all concepts covered throughout the week

  • Have the students complete a worksheet or assessment to test their understanding of numbers and counting

  • Play a game such as "Number Scavenger Hunt" where the students search for numbers around the room and write them down

Day 7: Final project

  • Have the students create a number book, where they can practice writing numbers, counting objects, and illustrating the corresponding number of items.

Note: For each day, it is important to include opportunities for students to work with numbers and counting in both whole group and small group settings, as well as through hands-on activities and games.

Phonics Cheat Sheet for Toddlers

When I started to teach Sofie her letter sounds, I thought it would be super simple. But as I began, I realized each letter makes so many sounds it was hard to keep track. And I couldn’t find any simple materials that spelled it all out.

  • How many sounds does each letter make?

  • How do you write out phonetic spellings of sounds?

  • How many sounds are there in the English language?

So I decided to add this Letter Sounds kit to the collection. It includes a pack of 26 cards each with the letter and the corresponding sounds as well as examples.


Why Phonics is the Key to Unlocking a Love of Reading for Toddlers

As a parent, you want nothing more than to give your child the best start in life. One of the most important skills you can help your child develop is the ability to read. And while teaching a toddler to read may seem daunting, the key to success is starting with the basics: phonics.

Phonics is the systematic approach to teaching children the relationship between letters and the sounds they make. By learning to recognize and manipulate the sounds that make up words, toddlers are better equipped to decode and read words on their own. This is the foundation for reading fluency and comprehension.

But how do you go about teaching phonics to a toddler? One of the most effective tools you can use are letter sound flash cards. These cards, featuring colorful illustrations and clear lettering, help children associate the shape of a letter with the sound it makes. This makes the learning process fun and interactive, encouraging children to take an active role in their own education.

Our letter sound flash cards, for example, are designed to make learning phonics easy and fun for toddlers. The set includes 52 cards, one for each letter of the alphabet, and is color-coded to help children easily identify vowels and consonants. Additionally, each card features a related word and picture to help children make real-world connections between the letter and its sound.

But flash cards are just the beginning. Once children have a solid foundation in letter sounds, they can start to put those sounds together to form words. This is when the real magic happens, as children begin to see the connections between the letters and the words they see around them.

Don't wait for your child to start school to start teaching them the basics of reading. Give them a head start by introducing them to phonics and letter sound flash cards at an early age. With a strong foundation in phonics, your child will be well on their way to reading success. And our letter sound flash cards are a great tool to help you achieve that.

In conclusion, investing in letter sound flash cards for your toddler is an investment in their future. By teaching them the basics of phonics early on, you are setting them up for success in reading and beyond.

Phonics Lesson Plan

Monday:

  • Introduction to the alphabet: Show the toddlers the alphabet chart and point out the different letters to them. Go through the letters one by one, saying the name and the sound of each letter.

  • Letter matching game: Cut out different letters from a magazine and have the toddlers match them to the corresponding letter on the alphabet chart.

Tuesday:

  • Beginning sounds: Show the toddlers pictures of different objects and have them identify the beginning sound of each word. For example, "What's the beginning sound of apple? /a/."

  • Sound sorting: Give the toddlers a set of pictures and have them sort them into groups based on the beginning sound.

Wednesday:

  • Middle sounds: Introduce the concept of middle sounds by using words with a single middle sound and have them identify the middle sound. For example, "What's the middle sound of rabbit? /b/."

  • Sound blending: Give the toddlers a set of sounds and have them blend them to make a word. For example, /c/ /a/ /t/ = cat.

Thursday:

  • End sounds: Introduce the concept of end sounds by using words with a single end sound and have them identify the end sound. For example, "What's the end sound of dog? /g/."

  • Sound segmenting: Give the toddlers a word and have them identify and say the individual sounds that make up the word. For example, "What sounds do you hear in the word map? /m/ /a/ /p/."

Friday:

  • Review and assessment: Review the concepts and skills taught throughout the week and assess the toddlers' understanding through a series of activities and games.

  • Letter sound song: Sing the alphabet song and have the toddlers repeat the sounds and letters after you.

Note It's important to keep the lesson interactive, hands-on, and fun for the toddlers. It's also essential to provide lots of positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout the week.