c2c
toddler Breakfast of Champions!
AGES 2-3
we mad e it!
Using Cereal to Boost Math Skills BY TANIA COWLING
One of the reasons Americans have taken to breakfast cereals is that they are quick and easy. Besides, cereals have been specifically designed so kids will like them: creative shapes, fun colors, sweet flavors and the box is entertaining while they eat. Cereal is a great tool for mathematical learning, but think of the creative process this manipulative material offers to develop the senses and ingenious art activities as well. Try a few projects below and don’t forget to provide a clean bowl of cereal for munching!
■ Tactile Cards
Draw a number on several pieces of cardboard. Have the children glue O-shaped cereal inside the written number, matching the amount of cereal with the number value. After it’s dry, they can run their fingers along the shape of this number and begin counting skills, along with your help. Start with numbers one to five and increase numerals according to age and skill level.
Giggle Tip! Another way to teach number recognition is to look for number symbols every time you sit together to read a book or look at magazines. Point to numerals and say the number name out loud. and sort by color or by the number of O’s between each marshmallow. Encourage the children to copy your model, and then make up patterns of their own. NOTE: Adult supervision is advised when using pointed sticks with young children. A variation to this activity is to glue cereal pieces on paper, creating specific patterns.
■ Geometric Cereal Shapes
■ Place Value Introduction
Insert three pipe cleaners into a piece of Styrofoam and glue place value labels on the foam base (Ones, Tens and Hundreds). Take turns placing O-shaped cereal onto each pipe cleaner “pole” and having the opposite player guess the whole number. A great way to teach place value and how to read larger numbers! Children learn by doing, so as they play, mathematical skills can be mastered. Think creatively by using cereal and foods to make their learning experience fun! ✽
É Tania Cowling is a former teacher, author of teacher resource books and freelance writer. View her books and work on taniacowling.com.
78
GIGGLEMAG.COM | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014
Photo by Giggle Magazine.
Cut out paper squares, triangles, circles and rectangles. You can show younger children how to correctly hold the scissors and help them cut out the shapes as well. Little ones ■ Egg Carton Math can glue pieces of cereal to fill each shape and Write the numerals 1-12 with a black marker inside the sections of an egg carton. when dry, can practice identifying each shape as you call out the name. Give each child a cup of cereal and have him place pieces of cereal to correspond ■ Abacus with the number in each section. Count Unwind a metal coat hanger and string the pieces together in each egg cup. As O-shaped cereal onto the wire. Wind the children play this game, they are learning hanger back together. Use heavy tape to to recognize symbols for each number. cover any sharp edges. Kiddos can move the cereal along the wire to count and do simple ■ Making Patterns addition and subtraction problems. Make up Create a pattern model using bamboo word problems for them to do too. Here’s an skewers. Thread on mini-marshmallows example: Susan, Tina and John were walking and O-shaped cereal. Use colorful cereal
to the park (move three pieces of cereal across the wire). How many kids were walking? Susan’s mother called her home (take away one). Now how many kids are still going to the park? Rachael and Tommy joined them (add two pieces). Now how many kids are there? Continue with the story until the child tires of this game, or start a different story.