Objective
By the end of this lesson, the toddler will be able to practice basic arithmetic skills through sensory bin activities.
Materials and Prep
- Sensory bin (e.g., plastic container or tray)
- Dry rice, beans, or sand for the sensory bin
- Small manipulatives (e.g., counting bears, buttons, or toy cars)
Before the lesson, fill the sensory bin with the dry rice, beans, or sand, and gather the small manipulatives.
Activities
- Counting Sensory Bin: Encourage the toddler to explore the sensory bin and count the number of manipulatives they find. They can pick up each manipulative, say the number out loud, and place it in a separate container.
- Addition and Subtraction Sensory Bin: Introduce simple addition and subtraction by placing a certain number of manipulatives in the sensory bin. Ask the toddler to remove a specific number of manipulatives and count how many are left. For example, place 5 counting bears in the bin and ask the toddler to take away 2. Then, count the remaining bears together.
- Sorting by Size: Provide different-sized manipulatives and ask the toddler to sort them into groups based on size. They can place the small manipulatives in one container and the large manipulatives in another.
Toddler Grade Talking Points
- "Let's count how many toys we can find in the sensory bin! Can you say the numbers out loud as you pick them up?"
- "Now, let's do some math! If we have 5 bears in the bin and we take away 2, how many bears are left? Let's count together!"
- "Wow, you're doing great! Now, let's sort these toys. Can you put the small ones in this container and the big ones in that container?"