We have all talked about the interview process for preschool. I can’t tell you how many times parents sat across from my desk and uttered these words, “My child is really smart. I know you hear that a lot, but my child is really, really smart.” Well, some of the children were, and some fell more in the average range.
But my child actually was really, really smart at 14 months, and he is now much smarter than I am. 😉
Keep in mind, it is very healthy to think that your child is the best of the best. This kind of positive thinking translates greatly to their belief in themselves. So, how did I know that my son was so smart at 14 months? He sorted his Halloween candy.
How can you translate your own trick-or-treat loot into a teachable moment? Other than hiding your child’s Halloween candy in a place they cannot reach to teach them about restraint, take a little time to sit down with them and their candy to enjoy some early math games. These basic math games are all lessons your children should be learning in preschool, and your reinforcement may help them pick up the skills even faster.
Five Math Games to Play with Halloween Candy
- Easy Matching Game: Pick one piece of candy out of the bag, and then ask your child to find one of the same kind. See how many matches he can make in a row. When you get to five or ten, it might be time to reward both of you with a piece to eat.
- Candy Sorting: Ask your child to make piles of all the candies that are the same. This is a great transition game after the matching game and gives you a chance to talk about which kinds are your favorites and which you’d rather let someone else enjoy.
- Pattern Making: Make a domino-style pattern with your candy (For example, lay out a Milky Way, a Tootsie Roll, a Milky Way, a Tootsie Roll, etc.). Ask your child to make the same pattern. Ask leading questions like, ‘What should come next to make the pattern longer?” if needed. Then encourage them to make their own patterns.
- Counting by Fives: Count candies into piles of five, then bag or wrap and take to a local children’s hospital or senior center. Sharing is a good thing!
- Picking a Piece (or Two): Last but not least, pick your favorite candy and enjoy it with your child. The math comes in when you have to bargain over how many pieces she can eat – one, two, or three. Sharing this fun is a BOOtiful thing!
Sisi wote tumezungumza juu ya mchakato wa mahojiano kwa ajili ya shule ya chekechea. Siwezi kukuambia ni mara ngapi wazazi waliketi kinyume na dawati langu na kusema maneno haya, "Mwana wangu ni smart sana. Najua umesikia mara nyingi, lakini mtoto wangu ni mzuri sana. Baadhi ya watoto walikuwa wazuri sana, na wengine walikuwa wazuri sana. Lakini mtoto wangu alikuwa na akili sana akiwa na miezi 14 na sasa ni mwenye akili kuliko mimi. "Kumbuka, ni muhimu sana kuwa na ""mwanzo"" wa mtoto wako." Aina hii ya kufikiri chanya huathiri sana imani yao ndani yao wenyewe. Kwa hiyo, ni kwa nini nilimwambia kwamba mtoto wangu alikuwa na akili sana? Alipanga peremende zake za Halloween. Unawezaje kutafsiri nyara yako mwenyewe ya ujanja au utunzaji kuwa wakati wa kufundishwa? Mbali na kuificha sukari ya Halloween ya mtoto wako mahali ambapo hawawezi kufikia ili kuwafundisha juu ya kujizuia, chukua muda kidogo kukaa chini nao na sukari yao kufurahia baadhi ya michezo ya mapema ya hisabati. Michezo hii ya msingi ya hesabu ni masomo yote ambayo watoto wako wanapaswa kujifunza katika shule ya chekechea, na kuimarisha kwako kunaweza kuwasaidia kuchukua ujuzi hata haraka zaidi. Michezo mitano ya hesabu ya kucheza na peremende ya Halloween - Mchezo rahisi wa kulinganisha: Chagua kipande kimoja cha peremende kutoka kwenye mfuko, kisha mwulize mtoto wako apate moja ya aina hiyo. Angalia ni mechi ngapi anaweza kufanya katika mfululizo. Ikiwa unafikia 5 au 10, huenda ikawa wakati wa kuwatoza wote wawili zawadi ya kipande cha chakula. - Kupanga peremende: Mwombe mtoto wako afanye rundo la peremende zote zinazofanana. Hii ni mchezo mkubwa wa mpito baada ya mchezo wa kulinganisha na inakupa nafasi ya kuzungumza kuhusu aina gani ni favorites yako na ambayo ungependa basi mtu mwingine kufurahia. - Pattern Making: Kufanya domino-style muundo na peremende yako (Kwa mfano, kuweka nje Milky Way, Tootsie Roll, Milky Way, Tootsie Roll, nk.). Mwombe mtoto wako afanye vivyo hivyo. Uliza maswali ya kuongoza kama vile, 'Ni nini kinachopaswa kuja baadaye ili kufanya muundo uwe mrefu zaidi?' ikiwa inahitajika. Kisha uwahimize wafanye michoro yao wenyewe. - Kuhesabu kwa tano: Hesabu peremende katika rundo la tano, kisha mfuko au wrap na kuchukua kwa hospitali ya watoto ya mitaa au kituo cha wazee. Kushiriki ni jambo zuri! - Kuchagua kipande (au Vipande Viwili): Mwisho lakini si mdogo, chagua peremende unayopenda na uifurahie pamoja na mtoto wako. Hisabati huja wakati unapoweza kubishana juu ya vipande vingapi anaweza kula - kimoja, viwili, au vitatu. Kushiriki furaha hii ni jambo la BOOtiful!