Math Worksheet and Activities for Summer Learning

EI Editor | Posted on Jan 13, 2021

Wake Up and Play!

Spending time with your preschooler strengthens your family bond, encourages positive behavior, builds communication skills, boosts self-esteem, and so much more. All good, right? So next time you have a morning free, surprise your sweetie and spend a few straight hours playing – together! Below, the Play Experts at EI share some of our favorite games, activities, and songs perfect for whiling away the winter hours with your little one, like:

Games to Play Together:

I Spy with My Little EyeSnuggle up and see what you can see – together! Spy things that are big, small, short, tall, square, circular, soft, hard, things that are certain colors, things with wheels or paws… you get the idea! This is a great way to build your little one’s vocabulary and introduce early math skills like shape and size.The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game!Spin the day away with everyone’s favorite preschool game! Celebrating its 10th anniversary as one of Amazon’s best-selling preschool games, The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game! helps kids master colors while building fine motor and pre-handwriting skills.

Bean Bag TossStand close together and see how many times you and your cutie can toss and catch a beanbag or balled up sock. Add a bit of a challenge by taking a step backwards every so often, taking turns tossing your beanbags into a laundry basket or mixing bowl, or balancing a beanbag on your heads while you play. A fun way to develop those gross motor skills!

Activities to Do Together:

Sensory BinsPreschool teachers trust these bins to build their students’ brains, including developing nerve connections, building language skills, enhancing fine and gross motor skills, and encouraging problem solving. Start by filling a large bin with Playfoam Pluffle, the mesmerizing, mixable, can’t resistable, feel-good fluffy stuff that never dries out. Then add a variety of objects for you and your little one to find, feel, describe, sort, match, and more. Find some fabulous Sensory Bin ideas on our blog and our Sensory Play Ideas Pinterest board.

ColorWho doesn’t love to color? Grab some printer paper and a new box of crayons and let your inner artists loose or print some of our free, downloadable coloring pages featuring your kiddo’s favorite EI characters. The trick here is that you need to color, too. Talk about the colors you’re using, give your creation a name, and make up a backstory – where does this creature live? What does it eat? What does it do all day?LearnLearning is more fun together! Our free, downloadable preschool packet includes colorful and engaging early literacy, math, and art activities perfect for sneaking some learning into your together time.

Songs to Sing Together:

I’m a Little TeapotTeaching your kiddos a new tune is always a blast. Here are the words, in case you need a refresher (or didn’t know there were actually two verses!). Don’t forget to show your little ones how to make their handles and spouts!5 Little MonkeysWarning – this little ditty may lead to some jumping on the bed. But it’s a classic every kid should know. Find the words here and encourage your kiddos to act the story out, complete with 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 countdown on their fingers.Itsy Bitsy SpiderThis sweet sing-along story has a happy ending – and helps develop those fine motor skills with specific hand movements, shown here. Sing the song a few times, then see if your little one can remember the words – and the moves!

Photo Credit: pre-kpages.comIf You’re Happy and You Know ItGet ready for some hand clappin’, palm-tingling good times! Show your sweetie how it’s done, then take turns calling out what to do if you’re happy – clap your hands, stomp your feet, nod your head, shake your tush, etc.

Whatever you choose to do together, time spent playing with your preschooler has a host of benefits – for you both. So get out there and play, sing, dance, craft, read, tickle, snuggle, and love on your little one right now!
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EI Editor | Posted on Sep 2, 2014

Best Back to School Gifts for Students [caption id="attachment_2204" align="aligncenter" width="800"]

“Back-to-School” time is a great opportunity to provide your child with some new and educational fun. Use this list to find the perfect back-to-school present!

Back to School Gifts![/caption]While most kids are sad to say goodbye to the fun of summer break, you can ease their transition back to school with awesome gifts perfect for students of all ages. We believe that education and fun should be combined. Our games and toys allow kids to practice communication, develop problem-solving skills, increase creativity, learn to collaborate, and build their basic reading and math skills. Here are few of our favorite toys, games, and tools that are both entertaining and educational, ensuring that your loved ones will start the school year off right.

Hot Dots® Jr. "Ace" - the Talking, Teaching Dog®: Meet Ace, part learning companion, part magic wand, and part pen. This amazing pen works with the Hot Dots activity cards (sold separately, see below) to help teach kids basic math and reading skills. This toy is especially designed for younger students, and encourages fun learning by lighting, buzzing, and laughing as children move their way through the activity pads. The wand encourages independent discovery by cheering for kids for correct answers and gently redirecting children on more challenging questions. Great for home or the classroom, this toy helps review key learning topics and build new skills! Hot Dots®: The Hot Dots books features an array of games and activities that encourage playful and interactive learning for children of all ages. Children answer questions using the electronic pen, then receive audible feedback as they progress through the math and reading activities. Activities are designed for children of all ages, so you can find the Hot Dots to suit your child’s specific needs.

Dinosaur Puppet-On-A-Stick™, Set of 3: Teachers and parents alike love the educational and imaginative possibilities of Puppet-On-A-Stick! This trio of wacky Jurassic characters can be used by kids on their own or in groups. Create a dinosaur-inspired story using Crusher, Stomper, and Buster as they adventure through the prehistoric world! These toys are easy to clean-up, making them ideal for the classroom or at home. Watch as kids practice communication skills and further develop their imagination using these amazing and adorable dinosaur puppets! Smencils®: Add some flavor to classwork and homework with Smencils. Smencils are gourmet-scented pencils, offered in a variety of colors and scents, including Gum-E Bear, Cherry Vanilla, Pom Paya, Blackberry, Juicy Melon, and many more! In addition, Smencils are made from 100% recycled newspapers, making them a green alternative to standard wooden pencils. We also have Puppet-on-a-Stick pens and Wacky Winderz™. With so many options for fun and learning, your home or classroom will be buzzing with laughter! Check out these toys and more for some great ideas for back-to-school gifts for students on educationalinsights.com. Your kids are sure to love the wonderful playtime additions, and you’ll love watching the children reap the amazing educational benefits.
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EI Editor | Posted on Jun 24, 2014

Use These Reading Worksheets for Summer Learning!