Core Skills Analysis
Literacy
- Recognized and identified the first letter of her own name, reinforcing letter recognition and personal identity.
- Practiced fine motor skills by arranging dominos carefully to form the letter shape.
- Developed spatial awareness and letter formation understanding by constructing the letter in a three-dimensional domino layout.
STEM (Physics and Engineering)
- Explored cause and effect relationships by setting up dominos to observe them falling in sequence.
- Engaged in basic principles of chain reactions and gravity through the act of knocking down dominos.
- Practiced problem-solving and planning skills by designing a stable domino structure to successfully topple.
Tips
To extend this meaningful learning activity, encourage the child to experiment with creating different letters of the alphabet or shapes with dominos. You could turn it into a storytelling session where each letter or shape represents a word or idea, deepening literacy connections. Introduce simple scientific concepts by discussing why dominos fall when pushed – introduce terms like gravity, momentum, and cause-effect. For additional engagement, design a domino obstacle course to further explore engineering challenges and perseverance when structures topple prematurely. Incorporate counting exercises as the child sets up dominos and predicts how many will fall.
Book Recommendations
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault: A fun rhythmic story that introduces young children to letters of the alphabet in an exciting and memorable way.
- Dominoes by Anne Rockwell: A simple introduction to domino games and patterns, perfect to connect with hands-on domino play.
- The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper: A classic story focusing on persistence and problem-solving, aligning well with engineering mindset in domino building.
Learning Standards
- Language (Oral Language): Develop awareness of letters linked to personal identity (Ireland Aistear framework early literacy goals)
- Mathematics: Understanding patterns and sequences through domino setup (Early mathematical experiences in Ireland Primary Language Curriculum Ref: Strand Numeracy)
- Science and Technology: Engaging with cause and effect and simple physics concepts (Science strand, SESE Primary Curriculum)
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Trace and write the first letter of your name and draw your own domino sequence.
- Task: Build domino letters to spell simple words and test how well they topple.
- Experiment: Test how changing the spacing between dominos affects the falling sequence.