While I helped with reading activities in the Twindaoes’ class this morning, Muski spent the time taking out every little thing from the maths manipulative shelf. After he and I had packed away all the counters and dice and quesenaire blocks we went home and were inspired to get out some of our own little bits and pieces to play with.
Not quite as impressive as the prep class’s collection of goodies, but we still managed to find a good collection of little treasures to keep us busy for a while. We sorted and then arranged the items in various patterns. We counted them together and then I tried making some simple repeating patterns to see if Muski would cotton on to the concept, which he did.
When the big girls came home they got into the fun too, making more patterns and using the testing each others addition and subtraction skills.
Who’d have thought a tray of tiny treasures could be so much fun?!? I’m going to have to collect some more bits and pieces I think.
These are some of the things we had in our collection –
Large plastic threading beads, buttons and cotton reels
Shells
Gum nuts (we need to collect some little ones too)
Small pony beads and wooden beads.
Glass buttons
Large sequins
We’d like to add some more bits and pieces too, perhaps some marbles and buttons in various shapes sizes and colours. Can anyone think of anything else that would be good to add??
It’s We Play day over at childhood101 today – head on over for some ‘freash, fun, family play ideas’.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m currently on the look out for some tiny treasures to make eye spy bottles at Princess’ birthday party, and they need to be different colours as it’s a rainbow theme. So far I have miniature pegs. I am thinking beads, and shaped beads, some buttons … but I have no idea what else. Perhaps I should have planned this AFTER finding the materials!
I guess, if we don’t make the bottles we can always play with whatever we have bought .. :)
This reminds me of years ago when i taught at a Kindergarten. we kept all the tiny treasures for “Great Stuff” days, when we laid out lots of bits and bobs, had the kids go through with cafeteria trays and, then, just create, create, create. what wonderful things they did!
This is just lovely! Little treasures :D
I really love this post….The little things you collected are so bright and colourful it makes me want to play this all by myself!
I guess anything and everything could be a great addition to this activity….How about corks, paper clips, dried lentils?
Heidi helping me with database work and she loves your tiny treasures.