One-to-one Correspondense (pointing as you count) and rote counting
Count everything and everywhere - count the windows in your home, the stop signs on your way to school, the homes on your street, or the peas on your plate.
Number recognition
Flashcards - include any numbers the child already recognizes and two or three they don't. As they learn those two or three you can add two or three more.
Number search - look for numbers on street signs, in magazines, in newspapers, or on cereal packages.
Number formation
Finger writing - use a finger to write numbers or letters in pudding, shaving cream, sidewalk chalk, or cornmeal. Please use the number and letter formation guide sent home at the beginning of the year.
Trace numbers - either you write them or the child finds them in print, then they trace the numbers using the proper formation.
Shapes and Colors
Go on a shape and or color hunt - in your home, in your neighborhood, or in the car.
Sorting
Sort items you see during the day - point out all of the green houses on your way to school, all of the red cars, or all of the yellow vegetables you see in the grocery store.
Graphing
Sort small items from around your home or yard - Put them in rows and align them next to each other so the items have "partners", and discuss what you see. (Are there any extras? Which row has more? Fewer? Are there any equal rows?)
Patterning
Make AB, ABB, ABC, and AABB patterns using everyday items - AB = spoon, fork, spoon, fork. ABB = apple, banana, banana, apple, banana, banana. ABC = cup, plate, bowl, cup, plate, bowl. AABB = book, book, doll, doll, book, book, doll, doll.
Position Words
Simon Says - Use position words such as over, under, behind, above, and below to play this fun game.
Number Sense
Compose and decompose numbers- Play with numbers to 10. What is 5? It can be 2 and 3 or 1 and 4. The Green Bean Game can aid in this. Shake and toss a small number of lima beans colored green on one side. (Any two sided object can be used: pennies have heads and tails for example). Separate the green and white beans. Compose the number verbally or on paper. Compose: 1 and 2 is 3. Decompose: 3 is 1 and 2.