Colour matching clips

A really simple yet popular and challenging activity. I think the petiteness of the resources gives it appeal, and it's simplicity encourages engagement. I obtained these clips in a cheap assorted stationary set.

Baby Rhyme book

Way back in June I bought these little photo albums and haven't done anything with them... until now. A little nursery rhyme book, for a baby/ toddler. The front cover is filled with textured ribbon stuck to a piece of card and slid into the cover hole.

Each page contains a card representing a nursery rhyme (or several if one is feeling creative) the pictures are card cut out shapes stuck onto card to give a bold design.

Hickory Dickory Dock

This little piggie

Round and round the garden

I love you (Barney Song)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Once I caught a fish alive

Pat-a-cake

Twinkle twinkle little star

Baa Baa white sheep (I made a mistake!)

Speckled Frog

Humpty Dumpty

Five little Ducks

Incy Wincy Spider

Biscuit (cookie) decorating centre

I found this in my photos from a while back. While there was a bit of a biscuit theme in play. Basically providing wicker coasters, felt for in different colours for icing, pom poms for decoration e.g. cherries or sweets, small pieces of coloured pipe cleaners for decoration e.g. liquorice, empty bottles with labels for chocolate and strawberry sauce, and a range of baking utensils.

The resources are still being used, often for different purposes (just as it should be) including the icing for different flavours of tea, I'm so tempted to make tea bags but they are so happy with these that I think it may be stifling creativity. (Sometimes I find this is a dilemma, when I think I could make something that would meet a need and I would enjoy doing so. But then realise that they don't need it and it is only through not having certain things when I was a child that I learned to be creative with what I had something which I am eternally grateful for.)

"C is for cookie, it's good enough for me; oh cookie cookie cookie starts with C." Cookie Monster (of course)

Bug Rocks

This was an evoloutionary idea that started out as lets paint some stones, but quickly evolved as all the best ideas do into making bugs. Adding, googly eyes and pipe cleaners for limbs. Initially things were stuck with pva or glue dots. However I had to go over with a glue gun afterwards, carefully placing each thing back in exactly the same place. I think I will invest in one of those low heat glue guns so children can access with support.

Defiantly think this activity will be being repeated.

Number Train

A very simple number line train I made ages ago, but had been "lost" in a lox for a bit found in the Christmas clear up and popped it on the shelf today and it was a huge hit! It is simple to make, with all shapes being cut from funky foam (EVA Foam) and simply glued onto pegs with a hot glue gun. The track is piece of strong thick elastic I obtained from a scrapstore, but I'm sure other materials would work equally well. Obviously this is a great number sequencing activity for children who love trains, and I wish i'd have thought of it years ago when working with certain children with autism who would have loved this activity.

Favourite Pre-School Apps

Now... before I say anything else, I am not generally one to promote the use of media technology with little children and this is not me saying you "have" to upload this to your iphone/ ipad. However we live in a world where children are exposed to technology and I think such resources have their place and can be used to support other hands on learning and simply as a bit of fun alongside a supportive adult, NOT as a baby sitting service. So rather than giving them a go on your crazy birds game, upload some more appropriate apps.

Tozzle

An incredibly well made app, with the right degree of simplicity and skill. The child has to drag and drop the object/ number/ shape from the top right hand corner to the correct space on the screen. If s/he gets it wrong the first time it guides with an arrow, wrong the third time it prompts with a big circle where it should go and then when the picture is complete rewards you with a "lovely" piece of music and sometimes a little animation.

The Little Red Hen Story

A fabulously clear and simply animated (when each character is tapped) story. Several options including different languages and reading to self are included. It is read by a child in any case and you will never read the little red hen again, without hearing the child's voice in your head. I got this when it was free but it's definitely worth 59p. The company that make this do other stories, which I was unaware of until finding a link to post here I will be looking at these!! :)

Toddler T

Not a very interesting app in my lame opinion, but to a three year old seems incredibly appealing and extremely fulfilling. No aim here simply create different coloured tracks with your finger, each track makes a different noise as you create it. And then when you have finished track building or any time really pop some trains on the line. Seems dull, but I tell us adults don't always know best. And let me tell you our tracks are far more "creative" than that, don't think health and safety would pass inspection but definitely creative.

Christmas Tree addition and subtraction

Counting activities involving counting have been a firm favourite previously in a moment of inspiration I came up with this idea to use up a few scraps of green card. Initially I was going to write the numbers on the trees but instead did addition sums/ number sentences what ever you call them, knowing that this would be a very visual way of introducing the written concept of something that has been worked on verbally many times. I wrote the answers on trunks to match up to the correct tree once the decorations had been added and the answer had been established.
As requested by a little mathematician I put the corresponding subtraction sum on the back of each tree.

Pieces were stored in a little tray with small pieces contained in an empty Branston pickle and cheese snack pot. The counting decorations were mini craft gems and sequins (without sticky backs)

The activity was a real hit and so good for fine motor control, counting those tiny gems on to the trees which had a terrible incline to slip rather frustratingly at times. We ended up doing on a try in the end as carpet made the trees quite wobbly, I think I would use thicker card, laminate or use felt if I were to do it again.

Remember, learning should always be tailored to the individual needs of the child. Addition and subtraction should not be attempted until the child is confident in counting with one to one correspondence, has lots of experience or dealing with numbers in everyday activity, has experience of language such as one more, lots more, take one away etc. in everyday activities and through songs. The child can then begin to deal with problems in play and everyday activity e.g. "We've eaten two biscuits how many are left?" Only when a child is confident with such "problems" can addition and subtraction in this way even be contemplated.

For a printable version of this activity go to TES simply register for free and you can down load for free http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Christmas-Tree-Addition-6066768/requestAction/update/