Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the teachers from the A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning are sharing at-home activities to help you with ideas on how to best support your child’s development.
STUDYING PATTERNS FOUND IN NATURE
Materials:
- YouTube videos, such as this reading of the book, Pattern Fish
- items collected outdoors
- a surface to create a pattern
Directions: Children collect natural items, such as grass, leaves, stones, sticks, and flowers, and create a pattern with them. You can then ask your child to tell you what pattern they created. You can prompt them to think about the extension of their pattern, by asking questions like, “Could your pattern go on forever?” or “What would come next?”
Modifications: Children who are not making an obvious pattern are still using classification and sorting skills during this activity. You can create a pattern of your own and have them help you determine what comes next to help clarify skills related to patterning.
MEASURING WATER OR DRY COOKING INGREDIENTS
Materials:
- measuring cups
- containers
- water or dry ingredients, such as dried rice, beans or pasta
Directions: This activity is designed to use the materials you have on hand. Any differently sized cups or containers will work. Meaningful questions that you can ask during this activity include: “which container/cup holds the most;” “which holds the least;” “how many scoops will it take to fill this container up;” and “I need six cups of water in this container. Can you help me?”
GOING ON A LISTENING WALK
Materials:
- this video which prompts a great discussion of the water cycle
Directions: Simply enjoy listening to the sounds that can be heard in a given space. This can be indoors or outdoors. Have your child point out the sounds that they hear. You can reflect upon these sounds at a later point as well. This activity benefits mindfulness and focus as well as early phonological awareness skills.
Additional resources: Check out these great nature resources from Ranger Rick.
