Montessori For Mom Life + Math and Memory for Toddlers I Hill Country Homestead Texas
Three Easy Math and Memory Montessori Inspired Activities for Toddlers.
This post is sponsored by Education.com
When you type into the Google search engine ‘Toddler Activities’ some of the related search phrases are ‘What do you do with a toddler at home’ and ‘how do I entertain my toddler’. It’s funny to me that so many people have submitted that query that it has become recommended by Google. I feel you Mama’s. I’m always looking for new ideas to mix up our current routine, I feel like schedule rotation and introducing new ideas helps to promote and maintain peace in our environment. I can tell that when my energy level is becoming weary and stagnate, the children can sense my energy and things can just get plain out of hand. It all comes down to planning ahead and knowing what the next lesson is through observation of the child. Each set of instructions includes modifications based on the child’s learning level. All items and materials listed are household or simple to acquire. No specialized or expensive Montessori materials are required.
Memory Game
Focus and memory are important skills to practice as they are the tools necessary for learning and understanding.
With most memory games, the object of the game is to memorize what you see. With this game, students will need to memorize the objects and figure out how many objects were removed!
What You Need:
5-15 various objects based on your child’s learning ability (can be toys, household items, or a combination of random objects. The objects can be different colors, all one color, or be related, such as kitchen items.)
Paper
Pencil
What You Do:
Set up the objects on a table. Arrange the objects all over the table, making sure they’re not too close to each other.
Once the objects are set up on the table, have the child take a good look at the objects.
After she looks at all the objects, have her count them. By counting the objects she will know how many there are.
When she has had a good look at the objects, she can leave the area for a few seconds so that you can remove some objects from the table.
Start off by removing one to two objects, but adjust the objects so that there aren’t any visible empty spaces.
When you have removed some objects, have her come back and tell her to look at the objects.
As she looks at the objects, remind her that she needs to try to figure out how many objects were removed and what were those objects.
After she figures out how many objects were removed, have her write the numeral on the piece of paper if possible. The original number of objects, minus the number she says are removed. Then introduce the concept of take away or subtraction.
When she has done the subtraction, she can count all of the remaining objects to check her answer and find out if she is correct.
Once done with the equation, start again.. Ask her to remember the new amount of objects on the table.
Have her leave the area again, and continue the process until there aren’t any more objects.
As a fun extension to this activity, consider switching places and testing your focus and memory!
Numbers Memory Game
The extension for this activity is to place the beans across the room or further to allow for more movement. With toddlers, movement is everything.
What You Need:
3 small bowls or dishes
Beans or small objects for counting
Numbers 1-10 on small squares of paper
What You Do:
Set the 3 bowls on a table. One bowl empty, one bowl with counting objects, one bowl with numerals suited to your child’s learning ability (1-3) (1-5) or (1-10).
Have the child choose a number, read the number and place it in their bowl.
Have the child recite the number and count out the quantity for them the first time.
Replace numbers and counters and tell the child it’s their turn.
Allow them to select a numeral and count along with them.
Allow the child to repeat this as many times as they would like. Continue to challenge the child by adding additional numbers as needed.
The extension to this lesson places the counters away from the child or even in another room based on the child’s need of challenge. When they draw the number they will learn to hold it in their mind for a time before retrieving the quantity.
