Math Songs for Kindergarten, Preschool and Toddlers

worlds_best_kids_songs.jpg

Using songs on the computer are great for children as they are both auditory and visual. It allows for children to see and hear at the same time and it helps build concept skills as they are given the opportunity to put two and two together. For example, if they only hear the song with numbers, they will learn them as rote and won't know what it means. With visuals, and with time and practise, they will learn one-to-one correspondence. Here are some math songs I use in my classroom daily as they are fun and very educational. You will find shapes, Numbers, Colors, and Patterns, all part of Math!

Also, check out my Phonics Song For Kindergarten post here.

Shapes Song

Shapes Song 2

Number Song (1-10)

Number Song 2 (1-10)

Big Number Song (1-100; Bigger Numbers)

5 Little Ducks

10 in the Bed

Butterfly Colors Song

Butterfly Colors Song 2

Train Colors Song

AAB Pattern Song

Classroom Centres - Block Area

Source: http://www.childrenscornerpreschool.com/block_2.jpg

There are some areas in the classroom that every centre likes to have.  One of the most popular centres of all is the Block Centre.

Here are some things I have always included in the block area in my classroom. Please suggest any other items that you have experience with that I can add to my blog. Thanks!

- Wooden blocks

Source: http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00uvIQDtYBRGol/100-Pcs-Wooden-Blocks-2005-.jpg

- Cardboard boxes/Recyclable Material

Source: http://fantasticfifthgrade.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/dsc03379.jpg

- Foam boxes

Source: http://www.p-wholesale.com/upimg/20/793a1/foam-blacokfoam-toys-569.jpg

- Brick-shaped/coloured boxes 

Source: http://1000moments.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/dsc05637-1.jpg

- Cars/Transportation

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh3N8YC_JsfgN_KzNqn_yixygWLEtLDRb4F4luxadIyP2QGPDWzU9VoOgWBIgRpAYJ5u5T7QpmUMM1Qpy3dRtqG-Wwo0L-m4SL1sK0qc8KpZv0aygJGculPOXpARAVag5EJiXzRzekukx/s1600/february+2012+106.jpg

- Road Carpet

Source: http://www.tts-group.co.uk/_rmvirtual/media/tts/images/FRMAT.jpg

- Hollow blocks

Source: http://www.logertoys.com/images/images_400/ma_hollow_blocks.jpg

- Lego (Different sizes)

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJykGA6u13W4EwVU5ojPTkkphjWEY88fPM-dSiLvHzz6SUhq-2W37rA0nCcLNdBwd_BPYri-9TTseQyE741akWbuJqIZp4Fb-kR9o9AqpW5aul8lMev8dGogB2CQ7u-QjSFV9CW-mVzU-/s1600/Lego.jpg

- People

Source: http://childcare.scholarschoice.ca/images/products/25/Lego-Duplo-World-People-Set-N15386_XL.jpg

We see the block centres nearly in every classroom. But what is the point of having these materials? 

- They allow children to use their fine motor muscles (small fingers to perfect the skill of balance, steadiness and grip/grasp as they play with small lego pieces and the blocks)

- They learn how to perfect their gross motor muscles (large muscles in arms, legs, and the rest of the body as they pick up the large blocks).

- They learn about hand-eye coordination. This is very important for them to learn because it requires for a lot of focus through their vision to complete a task using their hands.

- They learn about building and construction.

- They learn about structures; how balance and a solid foundation is key for buildings to stay standing.

- They learn about mapping (a big part in the school curriculum) through playing with the road carpet, transportation and the rules of traffic. 

- They learn about the community (the road carpets have lots of important buildings on their such as hospitals, fire stations, police stations, schools, etc.) 

- They learn to problem solve as they figure out ways to create their work. (Specially trying to make a bridge stand without any foundation underneath!)

- So much math is involved! Structures, problem solving, mass, weight, balance and spatial skills. 

- Language is involved: creating their own stories with the blocks and being able to communicate it with their peers and teachers. 

Children love this centre. Whenever possible, teachers and parents should get down on the floor and play with the children. It further helps to develop social skills, communication skills, math skills (challenge them with building things). This adds on to cooperative and pretend play. 

Fruit Smoothie Recipe

I came home today feeling really hot because of the weather. I wanted to cool down and I thought of making myself a smoothie. I LOVE my fruit smoothies. They are healthy, quick to make and a fun way to cool off. 

I also have made smoothies for kids at school. They have helped me with making them too. The kids love to make something and then later enjoy it. Here is how I make mine:

What you need:

Frozen or Fresh Fruit.

I like to use frozen because it turns out colder

and I don't need to use ice for it.

You can choose any fruit. I like

to use mixed berries or tropical fruits

(like mango, melon, cantaloupe).

Frozen Yogurt.

You can get plain one or a flavoured 

one. I like to use flavoured 

to bring out the fruity taste.

Juice.

The best kind of juice to use is

orange, pineapple or cranberry.

You also need a blender and a scoop.

Steps:

Put in your choice of fruit into

the blender. Add enough juice

so that the fruit is all covered.

Blend. 

If it is not blending well, add more juice.

Add 4-5 scoops of frozen yogurt

into the mixture. Blend.

You may have to stop after a while and blend again

with more juice. If you like yours a bit thick, like me,

don't add too much juice.

ENJOY!

My recipe does not have a specific number of servings. If I want to make lots, I add lots of fruit, juice and frozen yogurt.

This recipe can be made in the classroom with children. Make sure they are doing it with your help. It involves science, math, language, health and the most important subject: FUN!