T's Super Shape & Number Adventure!

Hi T! Get ready for a super fun time playing with shapes, colors, and numbers! We're going on an adventure!

Materials You'll Need:

• Set of colored wooden or plastic blocks (various shapes like squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, and various colors)
• Montessori Number Rods (rods 1-5)
• Small basket or containers for sorting (optional, could use designated areas on a mat)
• A favorite small toy or figurine (e.g., a small animal)
• A playmat or clear floor space

Activity 1: Colorful Shape Sorting Fun!

Let's look at all these bright blocks! Aren't they lovely? We're going to give them homes based on their color and shape!

1. Color Sorting:
   • Spread out a small selection of blocks (e.g., 6-8 blocks of 2-3 different colors).
   • Say, "Look, T! This block is RED! Can you find another RED block?"
   • Guide T to pick up red blocks and place them in a pile or a designated container/area.
   • Repeat with another color. "Now let's find all the BLUE blocks!"
   • Keep it short and engaging. Praise T's efforts: "Wow, you found a red one! Great job!"
   • Tip: Start with just two distinct colors, and then add a third if T is engaged.
2. Shape Sorting (Simplified):
   • Choose 2-3 distinct shapes (e.g., squares and circles) from the blocks. Use only a few of each to avoid overwhelming T.
   • Hold up a square block. Say, "This is a SQUARE. It has pointy corners. Can you find another SQUARE?"
   • Help T find other squares and put them together.
   • Repeat with another shape, like a circle. "This is a CIRCLE. It's round! Let's find all the CIRCLES."
   • Tip: Focus on one attribute at a time (color OR shape) initially. If T is ready, you can try sorting by one shape and then ask to find a specific color of that shape, but start simple.

Activity 2: Counting Adventures with Number Rods!

Now, let's meet some special number rods! These rods help us count!

1. Introduce the Montessori number rods 1 through 5. Lay them out, perhaps in order.
2. Pick up the '1' rod. Say, "This is ONE. Let's count it: ONE!" Touch the segment.
3. Encourage T to touch and say "ONE."
4. Pick up the '2' rod. Say, "This is TWO. Let's count it: ONE... TWO!" Touch each segment as you count.
5. Encourage T to touch and count the segments.
6. Continue with rods 3, 4, and 5 in the same manner, emphasizing touching each segment while counting.
7. "Great counting, T! You counted all the way to five!"
8. Optional Extension: Place the '1' rod next to one small object (like one block). Place the '2' rod next to two small objects. This helps connect the abstract rod to concrete quantity.

Activity 3: Block Buddies & Where They Go!

Let's play a game with our blocks and learn some new words about where things go! You can use your favorite little toy too!

1. Take two blocks, or one block and T's favorite small toy.
2. Over: Place one block on the table/mat. Say, "Let's put this block OVER the other block." Demonstrate by placing the second block on top of the first. "See? It's OVER!" Encourage T to try. "Can you put the red block OVER the blue block?"
3. Under: Say, "Now let's put this block UNDER the other block." Demonstrate. "It's hiding UNDER!" Give T a turn. "Where is the block? It's UNDER!"
4. Beside: Say, "Let's put this block BESIDE the other block." Demonstrate placing it next to the first. "Look, they are friends, standing BESIDE each other!" Ask T to place a block BESIDE another.
5. Use playful language and gestures. "The little bear is going OVER the bridge (a block)!" "The car is hiding UNDER the tunnel (another block)!" "The ball is BESIDE the box!"
6. Keep turns short and repeat the spatial words clearly.

Adventure Wrap-Up!

Wow, T, you were amazing today! We sorted colorful blocks, counted with our special number rods, and learned where to put our block buddies – over, under, and beside! You're a super math adventurer!

Give T a high-five or a hug!