May 15, 2013

What is a fun cut and paste activity that is good for preschool?

I have another fun cut and paste activity for you today and it is perfect for preschool. I made some sorting colors cut and paste pages. There are three different pages you can print or you can just print one for your preschooler. Each page has 8 pictures with two different colors. Simply have your preschooler cut out each picture and then glue it in the box with the same color at the top.

Little Bear went through a small phase a few months ago where he didn’t want to cut anything. I guess it was getting difficult for him and was taking a long time and the end result didn’t turn out perfect. Little Bear can be a bit of a perfectionist (unfortunately he gets that from me and from my amazing husband, so the poor kid has a double whammy). So, I think cutting was frustrating because it took so much effort and he could see that he hadn’t done a good job.

For a while I tried to limit the number of cutting activities that we did because I was trying to be sensitive to his frustrations. However, when we did do cutting activities, I tried to make them extra fun so that he would be willing to try. I found that colorful cutting activities (like these sorting colors cut and paste pages) were the perfect thing to get him motivated.

These sorting colors pages are pretty simple and don’t really need much explanation. Little Bear didn’t really need any instructions to complete the pages; he just needed some scissors and glue. These pages are in color, but you could also print the pages in black and white and start the activity by coloring the pictures the correct color. That way, this becomes a color, cut, and paste activity. Hopefully your preschooler enjoys these sorting pages. Don’t forget to check out my cut and paste apple tree from last week.

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

May 9, 2013

What is a fun way to teach shapes to my preschooler or toddler?

I have been working on shapes with Smiley Man for several weeks now and he really having fun. For this week, I really wanted to have an activity that could fit in a busy bag. If you don’t know what a busy bag is, check out this great post on hosting a busy bag exchange. Or just search busy bags on Pinterest and you are sure to find a wealth of information.

I don’t use busy bags a ton with my kids, but I do use them. Unfortunately, Smiley Man has been getting a little bored of the busy bags that I currently have for him, so I wanted to make a new one. Since we are already learning about shapes, I figured it would be perfect to have a shape themed busy bag. I found some great ideas like this felt shape matching game, these hot glue crayon rubbing designs (4th one down), or this clothespin and popsicle stick shape matching game (9th one down)

In the end I decided to go with something simple that I knew Smiley Man would love. I just made some shape lacing cards. Making these cards is very simple. First, print off the shapes using this printable that I made. Next, laminate the shapes. Usually I say laminating is optional, but I have tried lots of different options (using contact paper, using packing tape, gluing the picture to cardboard or a cereal box) and honestly, nothing works as well as lamination. If laminating is absolutely not an option, I would glue the picture to a thin piece of cardboard (like a cereal box), then cover both sides with packing tape.

Once the shape is laminated hold punch holes in the edges about one inch apart. Now, add a shoelace or yarn with tape on the end. I always use yarn and tape because I like to save money, but you can usually find a big pack of shoelaces at the dollar store and shoelaces do work better. You can tie one end of the yarn or shoelace to the lacing card if you want, but that is optional. I usually tie one end to the lacing card because my kids are still young and I don’t like the yarn getting lost.

Now, show your toddler (or preschooler) how to thread the end of the shoelace or yarn through each hole. Smiley Man requires a lot of help with lacing cards, but for some reason he still absolutely loves them. I usually try to cover most of the holes except the one he needs to put the yarn through. He also has a really hard time switching hands when it is time to pull the yarn through the other side, but I just show him how each time and he gets it. Someday he’ll be able to do it alone. ;)

This is a great way to teach shapes because Smiley Man really explores the edges of each shape while using the lacing card. Plus, these lacing cards fit perfectly in a gallon size ziplock bag which is what I use for busy bags.

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

May 2, 2013

What is a cut and paste activity my child can do that will teach shapes?

I’ve been itching to do some cut and paste and activities with Smiley Man for awhile and I realized it would be the perfect activity for practicing shapes. Smiley Man is way too young to use scissors by himself, but he does like to use them when I help him. And he LOVES using glue sticks. He doesn’t necessarily use them correctly, but it takes time to learn. I made some shape sorting color, cut, and paste pages and they are a great way to teach shapes.

Of course, when it came time for picture taking, Smiley Man was no longer excited about this cut and paste and activity and he refused to do pictures. Luckily, these are also a great to teach shapes to kids of all ages, so I had my preschooler, Little Bear do the pictures instead.

There are four cut and paste shape sorting pages. I suggest doing one at a time and if your child is older (preschool or Kindergarten age) and wants to do another page, then let them do another page.

This color, cut, and paste activity is very simple. Just cut out the squares on the bottom of the page. Next, glue them onto the correct side of the sorting chart. If you child wants to color the shapes, then have him color them.

This activity is wonderful because it give practice in so many different areas. You child is learning shapes and what they each look like. He or she is also learning how to sort or discriminate differences which is a very important math skill. And of course, you child is getting some great fine motor practice by cutting and gluing.

I was excited about how these cut and paste pages work so well for toddlers and preschoolers. Granted, my toddler needs a lot of help with the cutting, gluing, and even with the sorting. I make sure to talk a lot about the differences between the shapes and why each shape goes in a certain place. Little Bear loves doing this page all by himself and I love that he gets practice strengthening his fine motor skills and practice with sorting. Enjoy the shape sorting cut and paste activity!

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

May 1, 2013

Where can I find free pattern block templates? How can my preschooler use pattern blocks?

This is the final post for the pattern block templates series. It has been so much fun for me to put together all of these pattern block templates. Little Bear has really enjoyed using the pattern blocks in so many different ways. Check out the bottom of this post for links to all the past pattern block posts as well as several links for other pattern block templates.

The last activity for pattern blocks that we did was a spring pattern block scene. I used pattern blocks to create a spring scene (tree, two flowers, hill, stream, and sun), then I turned it into a pattern block template. Since Little Bear is getting so good at pattern blocks, I printed this one in black and white just to give him a bit more of challenge. You can download the color version or the black and white version.

Little Bear used the pattern blocks to fill in the space and then we talked about what pictures the pattern blocks made. I’m thinking about having him color the pattern blocks in the right colors and then having him finish coloring the rest of the picture, but I’m not sure if I’ll do that yet or not. I also had him create his own scene. He made a rocket ship and unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of it. This was a really fun way to explore with pattern blocks and Little Bear realized just how creative he can be with them.

Here are all of our other pattern block activities as well as links to several other pattern block templates. If you have any free pattern block templates, please let me know and I will add them to the list below:

Moms Have Questions Too Pattern Block Templates

• Fill in the Shape with Pattern Blocks
• Spring Pattern Block Templates
• Making Patterns with Pattern Blocks
• Pattern Blocks Pre-Addition Math Mat

More Pattern Block Templates

• Alphabet Pattern Block Printables
• Number Pattern Block Cards
• Shape Pattern Block Cards
• Pattern Block Mats (Duck, Dog, Cat, and more)
• Pattern Block Pictures (sailboat, train, car, and more) Click on pattern block pictures set 1 and set 2
• Christmas Pattern Blocks

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

April 25, 2013

How can I teach shapes using puzzles?

Puzzles are a great way to teach any topic and 2 part puzzles are perfect for the toddler crowd. Print these free 2 part shape puzzles and you’ll be on your way to teach shapes to your toddler or preschooler very soon.

Using these puzzles is pretty self-explanatory, but here are some simple directions for use with toddlers. Simply, put 2-3 shapes on the table at a time. You will have 4 or 6 pieces on the table since each shape has two pieces. Spread the pieces around so they are all mixed up. Have your toddler choose one piece and then have them look for the other piece of that puzzle. When your toddler has both pieces, let them put the puzzle pieces together to complete the shape.

 

Sometimes Smiley Man has a hard time actually putting the pieces together to make the shape, so I help him. Then, we talk about what shape was just made.

 

These puzzles also work great for preschool shape activities. When using with preschoolers, put all the shape pieces on a table at a time. Have your preschooler sort through the shapes to find matches and to put the puzzle pieces together. Both Smiley Man and Little Bear love playing with these shape puzzles.

 

Once all the puzzles are completed, I tell my kids to mess up one shape at a time. I also usually have them say the name of the shape out loud as they are messing it up. This gives them some extra practice at saying the shape name.

One last thing, I want to emphasize that right now I am only teaching Smiley Man the four basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, and rectangle). Whenever I do shape activities with him, I only use those four shapes. We will do lots of preschool shape activities when he gets older and he is still really young, so I don’t want to confuse him by teaching him too many shapes. He is the perfect age to learn 4 shapes so that is what we work on.

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me