Objective
The objective of this lesson is for the toddler to develop basic addition skills and understanding through fun activities.
Materials and Prep
- Counting objects (could be toys, blocks, or any small items)
- Pen and paper for recording
Prior knowledge required: Basic counting skills.
Activities
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Activity 1: Count and Add
Ask the toddler to count a group of objects together. For example, place 3 toys in front of them and ask them to count "1, 2, 3". Repeat this a few times with different groups of objects. Then, ask the toddler to add two groups of objects together. For example, place 2 toys and 3 toys separately, and ask them to count and add "2, 3, 4, 5". Encourage them to count each group separately and then count the total.
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Activity 2: Number Line Addition
Create a simple number line on a piece of paper, starting from 1 and ending at 10. Using a pen, draw dots or small circles to represent numbers. Show the toddler how to add by counting forward on the number line. For example, start at 3 and count forward 2 steps to reach 5. Repeat this with different starting numbers and addends.
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Activity 3: Addition with Objects
Using the counting objects, ask the toddler to solve addition problems by physically adding the objects together. For example, give them 4 toys and ask them to add 2 more. They should count all the objects together and give you the answer.
Toddler Grade Talking Points
- "Let's count together. Can you count these toys for me?"
- "Now let's add two groups of toys together. Can you count them all?"
- "Look at this number line. We can use it to add numbers. Let's start at 3 and count forward 2 steps."
- "Let's use the toys to solve addition problems. If we have 4 toys and add 2 more, how many toys do we have in total?"