Inspired by the Bear in the Big Blue House song, I made this Christmas cookie tin mailbox into our new favorite language activity! Each week I fill the mailbox with items that begin with a different letter sound. There are enough items for every child at circle. We take turns singing the song & opening the mailbox. The child then names the object and passes the mailbox to a friend, this continues until every item has been removed, named and returned. The mailbox then lives on the language shelf. Tons o'fun! They really enjoy this activity and even though I do not expect them to remember all the letter sounds, I do feel it is valuable to expose toddlers to the sand paper letters and the sounds letters make, before they are two years old.
1-to-5 Math sorting with winter items. I think the biggest appeal about this work is the tray, however the raised number cards are also a big draw. This work is used every day at school.
I made this number line using sticky-back red felt and poster board. The numbers are a bit too close to one another but it is being used properly as a guide for the movable number cards so it's all good.
It's a bit hard to see in this photo but the idea is they match the moons to the moon shapes on the tray and count along. The children seem to really enjoy these half moons that a coworker picked up at a yard sale this summer! Amazing find huh? I think they are intended to be used for beading crafts? They make a nice sound when all together in the container and have been used many different ways.
Well, that's all I have time to share about presently. I hope you are all having a wonderful week! In PEACE,
Montessori Mama
5 comments:
So nice activities!
I was wondering if you would mind explaining more about exposing a toddler to the sandpaper letters and sounds. I do Montessori-ish activities with my 23-month-old, but assumed he was far too young for the sandpaper letters. I would love to hear more! Thanks so much!
Sure Nicole, as we know, toddlers well most younger children, generally speaking, learn best by using their keen senses. Touch is essential to the young child gaining an understanding of what something is. Dr. Montessori knew this and made materials to support this learning. The sand paper letters and numbers are a wonderful example of her brilliance.
When we share these materials with young learners we introduce them to letters and number symbols that they will one day spend a lot of time with and any exposure to these materials prior to, is beneficial.
The key is not to have an expectation of your children to recite or memorize and say back to you the desired letter of number. Pressure is not present. We are simply sharing with them the shape that goes with the sound.
The mailbox game is just one way to introduce letters and letter sounds to your child.
I hope this helps.
Thanks for the comment and question.
In PEACE,
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer! I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. :)
i was wondering what would be best way to try to teach letter sounds to toddlers older than 2 years old my daughter is now 2 years and 4 months and i wanted her to learn her letter sounds. thanx so much love your blog
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