two's a charm: January 2011

Beginning Lessons on Patterns --28 months

I wanted to introduce patterns to Henry. We are started the simplest pattern consisting of only two shades. I was surprised he was able to complete it using the legos I gave him.

He loved saying the colors while he did it "orange black orange black"...

When he finished he loved going through it verbally.

I then tried using three colors in a pattern but it was over his head. Still glad we introduced it to him. maybe next time.

and he was exhausted after that.

One-to-one ratio activity --27 months

Using buttons and flash cards we created a new one to one ratio activity.

I place buttons in a pod filter and had him collect the amount he needed per card and place them on there. He would then count each one. these are the Kumon number cards.

These are Eric Carle's flash cards of numbers, a gift from uncle Scott. we did the same thing here.

I tried to get him to put the cards in numerical order but he wasn't quite ready for that. So we played this game a couple of times and called it a day. Overall, he enjoyed it.

Learning that shapes make things--28 months

Henry received this book from a dear friend and it was a great way to teach Henry that shapes make things. So, after reading it we used Melissa and Doug's Pattern Blocks and Boards.

I had to help him keep the shapes in place. I only wish this board was magnetized to keep the shapes from moving.

I would also ask him how many of each shape we needed to complete the picture. He did a good job counting the different shapes present. Definitely a good 15 minute activity.

Primary Colors -- 27 months old

One of things I am trying to do with Henry is with a few books we read doing some sort of craft or activity to go along with it. The White Rabbit's Color Book was all about mixing primary colors. This was simple, easy, and a great way to teach Henry about mixing colors.