Ways To Learn At Home With Things We Already Have

Author: For more fun learning through play ideas, visit us on Instagram: @Resources4Learning

With the coronavirus pandemic, we have all been forced to homeschool our children. Schools closed suddenly and this was something we were not prepared for. I would like to let parents know that we are all in this together and we will get through this! I have put together ways that parents can help their kids learn by using what they already have at home. Learning occurs in many ways. It doesn’t always have to be with paper and pencil. These are fun activities that kids can do at home that are engaging and they won’t even know they are learning.

Deck of Cards

Most of us have a deck of cards at home. You can use any kind – playing cards, flash cards, even UNO cards. Below are some different learning activities you can do with these cards.

1. Less & More – On a sheet of paper write Less on one side and More on the Have the child select two cards from a deck. They have to determine which number is less and more and place it in the correct spot.
2. Trace the number – Using a set of number flash cards, trace the number with play dough or any loose parts. This helps with number formation.
3. Number correspondence – Have the child set out their cards in order from 1-10. Have them count out any objects or toys and place them next to each card to represent the correct amount.
4. Greater than Less than – Create a greater than/less than sign using popsicle sticks. Child selects two cards from a deck and places them down on the table. The child then places the sign in the middle to determine which is greater or less.
5. Domino Match – Lay out some cards on a table. Place dominos on top of the cards that match the This is great for practicing addition.

Sink Play

This is a fun one and don’t be afraid of the mess! You will just need to wipe down the bathroom counter with a towel when finished.

1. Alphabet Soup – Fill the sink with some Add in some letters and give the kids some spoons and bowls. The kids will make alphabet soup and practice identifying the letters.
2. Ocean – Fill the sink up with water and add a couple drops of blue food coloring. Add some ocean animals and let them play!
3. Baby Wash/Pet Wash – Fill the water with sink and add either a baby doll or toy animals. Kids will give their toys a baby doll or toy animals.
4. Farm – Add a couple drops of water and a pinch of grinded coffee in the sink. Add some farm animals and kids can play with their animals in the mud. Kids will give their toys a bath.
5. Ice Play – Freeze any of their small toys overnight. The next morning place them in the sink and they can play with them by trying to free them.

Snacks

If your kids are like mine, they are always motivated by food! So, we use this a lot in our learning. First we learn, then we eat.

1. Create letters using the snack. For example: G is for Grapes, R is for Raisins. This helps letter identification as well as letter formation.
2. Number Correspondence – Lay out some flash cards on the table. Kids practice counting by placing snacks next to the correct amount. Example: 1 pretzel, 2 cheerios, 3 crackers.
3. Tally Marks – Practice making tally marks by using the snacks for tallies. You can use pretzel sticks or veggie straws.
4. Letter Formation – Use applesauce on a plate to write letters. This is great for pre-writing skills as well as sensory play.
5. Cheerio Thread – Thread some cheerios on a pipe cleaner or string. Practice counting them and when finished leave them on a tree outside. This is a snack for the squirrels and birds.

Legos

 Legos has to be the most played with toy in our house! There are so many ways to learn with them.

1. Color Sort – Place the Legos in different colored bowls or on colored paper.
2. Number Towers – Place flashcards on the table. Kids make number towers to place on each card to match the number.
3. Sight words – Write letters on the sides on Legos with a dry erase Then, the child practices building their sight words.
4. Addition – Practice addition problems by using Legos as the counters.
5. Build Letters – Have the child use Legos to create the alphabet.

Author Bio

For more fun learning through play ideas, visit us on Instagram: @Resources4Learning