Objective

The objective of this lesson is to introduce the concept of addition and subtraction to the toddler, using outdoor objects as manipulatives.

Materials and Prep

• Outdoor objects (stones, leaves, sticks, etc.)
• Large piece of paper or sidewalk chalk
• Marker or chalk

Before starting the lesson, make sure the outdoor area is safe and free from any hazards.

Activities

• Activity 1: Outdoor Counting - Take the toddler outside and ask them to collect a certain number of objects (e.g., 5 stones). Count the objects together and write the number on the paper or draw it with chalk. Repeat this activity with different numbers.
• Activity 2: Addition - Ask the toddler to collect two groups of objects (e.g., 3 stones and 2 sticks). Help them count each group separately and then combine the two groups to find the total. Write the addition equation (e.g., 3 + 2 = 5) on the paper or draw it with chalk.
• Activity 3: Subtraction - Give the toddler a small number of objects (e.g., 4 sticks). Ask them to remove a certain number of objects (e.g., 2 sticks) and count how many are left. Write the subtraction equation (e.g., 4 - 2 = 2) on the paper or draw it with chalk.

Toddler Grade Talking Points

• "Let's go outside and have some fun with math!"
• "We can collect objects like stones, leaves, and sticks to help us learn."
• "When we count the objects, we can see how many there are."
• "If we have two groups of objects, we can add them together to find the total."
• "Sometimes we need to take away some objects from a group, and then we count what's left."
• "Math is all around us, even when we're playing outside!"