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Homeschool Parent

Home's Cool Math Learning Activity: Addition with Bolts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJEmL0eiGqI&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-6Supplies:• Design & Drill Board• Bolts• Drill• Markers• Sticky NotesProcedure:1. Create an equation by writing a low number on each of two sticky notes, a plus sign on another, and an equal sign on another.2. Place the sticky notes on the board, leaving enough room for the corresponding number of bolts above or beneath each.3. Add a fifth sticky note, but leave it blank.4. Show your little one how to place the same number of bolts as the numeral on the first sticky note beneath the note and use the drill to secure them to the board.5. Repeat for the second numeral in your equation.6. Together, add up the total number of bolts, touching each one and counting aloud.7. Have your child write the numeral that corresponds with the total on the blank sticky note to complete the equation.SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Home's Cool Math Learning Activity: Addition with Bolts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJEmL0eiGqI&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-6Supplies:• Design & Drill Board• Bolts• Drill• Markers• Sticky NotesProcedure:1. Create an equation by writing a low number on each of two sticky notes, a plus sign on another, and an equal sign on another.2. Place the sticky notes on the board, leaving enough room for the corresponding number of bolts above or beneath each.3. Add a fifth sticky note, but leave it blank.4. Show your little one how to place the same number of bolts as the numeral on the first sticky note beneath the note and use the drill to secure them to the board.5. Repeat for the second numeral in your equation.6. Together, add up the total number of bolts, touching each one and counting aloud.7. Have your child write the numeral that corresponds with the total on the blank sticky note to complete the equation.SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line. READ MORE

Home's Cool Arts & Crafts Learning Activity: Bears in Pairs Go to Bed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBd0OwmUqeM&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 2-4Supplies:• Foam Sheets (from the craft store or the thin sheets found in some shipping boxes)• Scissors• Tape• Markers• Box• Bears and Spinner from Bears in Pairs GameSRS_EI_BearsinPairsGotoBed_Image_V1Procedure:1. Fold your box so that it looks like it has a headboard. Use your tape to secure it.2. Measure the length and width of your bed and cut a foam sheet to size. Cut that sized sheet into 6 foam rectangles.3. Use your washable markers to draw the patterns of the Bears’ shirts onto the foam – you’ll repeat each pattern twice.4. Secure all 6 “blankets” to the “bed” using tape.5. Cut out 6 pillows and place them on top of the “blankets”, securing with tape.6. Take turns spinning the spinner, finding the Bear with the matching pattern, and placing it onto the blanket with the matching pattern. You can also simply choose a Bear and place it on the matching blanket.SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Home's Cool Arts & Crafts Learning Activity: Bears in Pairs Go to Bed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBd0OwmUqeM&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 2-4Supplies:• Foam Sheets (from the craft store or the thin sheets found in some shipping boxes)• Scissors• Tape• Markers• Box• Bears and Spinner from Bears in Pairs GameSRS_EI_BearsinPairsGotoBed_Image_V1Procedure:1. Fold your box so that it looks like it has a headboard. Use your tape to secure it.2. Measure the length and width of your bed and cut a foam sheet to size. Cut that sized sheet into 6 foam rectangles.3. Use your washable markers to draw the patterns of the Bears’ shirts onto the foam – you’ll repeat each pattern twice.4. Secure all 6 “blankets” to the “bed” using tape.5. Cut out 6 pillows and place them on top of the “blankets”, securing with tape.6. Take turns spinning the spinner, finding the Bear with the matching pattern, and placing it onto the blanket with the matching pattern. You can also simply choose a Bear and place it on the matching blanket.SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line. READ MORE

Home's Cool Art Activity: Make a Squishy Squashy Turtle Using Playfoam Pods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6UzKahmKog&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Green Construction Paper• Scissors• Marker• Tape• Playfoam Pod• Googly EyesProcedure:1. Cut four legs/fins, a head, and a tail out of construction paper.2. Tape the legs together, then tape them to the back of the Playfoam pod.3. Secure the thread and tail directly to the Playfoam pod.4. Add googly eyes to the head and draw a smile.5. Add a little note that says: “You are turtley awesome!” and you’re done!SRS_EI_PlayfoamTurtle_Image_V1 SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Home's Cool Art Activity: Make a Squishy Squashy Turtle Using Playfoam Pods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6UzKahmKog&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Green Construction Paper• Scissors• Marker• Tape• Playfoam Pod• Googly EyesProcedure:1. Cut four legs/fins, a head, and a tail out of construction paper.2. Tape the legs together, then tape them to the back of the Playfoam pod.3. Secure the thread and tail directly to the Playfoam pod.4. Add googly eyes to the head and draw a smile.5. Add a little note that says: “You are turtley awesome!” and you’re done!SRS_EI_PlayfoamTurtle_Image_V1 SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line. READ MORE

Home's Cool Learning Activity: Fishing for Bolts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3_lddI54g&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Bowl of water• Design & Drill bolts in various colors• Design & Drill wrench• Plastic cupsProcedure:1. Fill a large bowl ¾ full of water.2. Drop your Design & Drill bolts into the bowl.3. Show your kids how to use the Design & Drill wrench to “fish” the bolts out of the bowl, one by one.4. Place each bolt in a plastic cup as it’s removed.5. Try sorting the bolts into cups by color or creating a pattern with two or three colors in each cup!SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Home's Cool Learning Activity: Fishing for Bolts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3_lddI54g&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Bowl of water• Design & Drill bolts in various colors• Design & Drill wrench• Plastic cupsProcedure:1. Fill a large bowl ¾ full of water.2. Drop your Design & Drill bolts into the bowl.3. Show your kids how to use the Design & Drill wrench to “fish” the bolts out of the bowl, one by one.4. Place each bolt in a plastic cup as it’s removed.5. Try sorting the bolts into cups by color or creating a pattern with two or three colors in each cup!SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line. READ MORE

Home's Cool Learning Activity: Lacing Bolts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Lf8iS39eI&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Paper• Markers• Pipe cleaners in various colors• Tape• Design & Drill bolts in various colorsSRS_EI_LacingBolts_Image_3Procedure:1. Tape a piece of paper to the table.2. Tape the top end of 5 different colored pipe cleaners to the paper.3. Use a marker to write the numbers 1 through 5 next to the pipe cleaners.4. Ask your kid to match the color of the bolts with the pipe cleaner and to lace the number of bolts written on the paper.SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Home's Cool Learning Activity: Lacing Bolts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Lf8iS39eI&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:• Paper• Markers• Pipe cleaners in various colors• Tape• Design & Drill bolts in various colorsSRS_EI_LacingBolts_Image_3Procedure:1. Tape a piece of paper to the table.2. Tape the top end of 5 different colored pipe cleaners to the paper.3. Use a marker to write the numbers 1 through 5 next to the pipe cleaners.4. Ask your kid to match the color of the bolts with the pipe cleaner and to lace the number of bolts written on the paper.SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line. READ MORE

Home's Cool Art Activity: Playfoam Fashion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT1ebCxvG7A&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-7Supplies:• Paper• Marker• PlayfoamSRS_EI_PlayfoamFashion_Image_1Procedure:1. Draw a character.2. Squish, squash and sculpt Playfoam to create clothes; let’s start with the dress.3. Let’s add some hair.4. Now add some hair bows.5. Then let’s add some shoes.6. Add polka dots and you’re done!SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Home's Cool Art Activity: Playfoam Fashion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT1ebCxvG7A&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-7Supplies:• Paper• Marker• PlayfoamSRS_EI_PlayfoamFashion_Image_1Procedure:1. Draw a character.2. Squish, squash and sculpt Playfoam to create clothes; let’s start with the dress.3. Let’s add some hair.4. Now add some hair bows.5. Then let’s add some shoes.6. Add polka dots and you’re done!SahadSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line. READ MORE

Home's Cool Learning Activity: Caterpillar Counting Cards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ehOkl1SxhA&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Janene Russell, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 2-4A cute way to practice one-to-one counting and encourage sensory learning!Supplies:• Pom Poms• Markers• Paper• Finger PaintProcedure:1. Draw a caterpillar, with each circle representing the number on your counting card.2. Have your child count each circle while placing a pom pom to match the number.3. For additional sensory play, use finger paint to place a print on each circle. Happy counting!JanineA former teacher and current mom of two young children, EI Product Manager Janene Russell has more than 15 years of early learning experience! This So Cal native puts her little kid knowledge to good use, guiding the development of the Bright Basics and GeoSafari Jr. lines, as well as various preschool games and classroom resources.
Home's Cool Learning Activity: Caterpillar Counting Cards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ehOkl1SxhA&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Janene Russell, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 2-4A cute way to practice one-to-one counting and encourage sensory learning!Supplies:• Pom Poms• Markers• Paper• Finger PaintProcedure:1. Draw a caterpillar, with each circle representing the number on your counting card.2. Have your child count each circle while placing a pom pom to match the number.3. For additional sensory play, use finger paint to place a print on each circle. Happy counting!JanineA former teacher and current mom of two young children, EI Product Manager Janene Russell has more than 15 years of early learning experience! This So Cal native puts her little kid knowledge to good use, guiding the development of the Bright Basics and GeoSafari Jr. lines, as well as various preschool games and classroom resources. READ MORE

Home's Cool Learning Activity: Fine Motor Stringing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgDPEr9OmnQ&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Janene Russell, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 2–4Keep your child busy with this fun fine motor activity.Supplies:• Strainer/colander• Shoe laceProcedure:Together with your child, thread the shoe lace through each hole of the colander. This builds great pencil gripping skills!Pro Tip: Try using colored pipe cleaners to add a color matching element.JanineA former teacher and current mom of two young children, EI Product Manager Janene Russell has more than 15 years of early learning experience! This So Cal native puts her little kid knowledge to good use, guiding the development of the Bright Basics and GeoSafari Jr. lines, as well as various preschool games and classroom resources.
Home's Cool Learning Activity: Fine Motor Stringing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgDPEr9OmnQ&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Janene Russell, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 2–4Keep your child busy with this fun fine motor activity.Supplies:• Strainer/colander• Shoe laceProcedure:Together with your child, thread the shoe lace through each hole of the colander. This builds great pencil gripping skills!Pro Tip: Try using colored pipe cleaners to add a color matching element.JanineA former teacher and current mom of two young children, EI Product Manager Janene Russell has more than 15 years of early learning experience! This So Cal native puts her little kid knowledge to good use, guiding the development of the Bright Basics and GeoSafari Jr. lines, as well as various preschool games and classroom resources. READ MORE