Foam Shapes and Numbers!

Foam shapes are such a fabulous tool to get children to count, learn shapes/colors and to build their imagination.

My main objective for the kids while doing this activity was to help them to count but it brought out many other aspects of learning and that made me very glad.

I simply gave children some foam shapes and asked them to create something out of it. They used their creativity and made many designs.

I encouraged them to copy their designs on paper because I wanted to record it but you can eliminate this step if you like.

After they finished making their designs (give them plenty of time to complete), I asked them to count the shapes used in making the designs. Some of them even recorded the number.

A transformer!

A bow!

A BMW!

A lion!

If you note, children even attempted to write what they had made. So we were able to incorporate literacy too!

It is a simple activity with no preparation but brings out beautiful results. Do try it out with your class.

Holi- An Indian Festival Of Colors!

Holi is a spring festival celebrated in India by Hindus. It is also called the festival of colors.  During the celebrations, people gather with their friends and family and play with water and color. They visit each other's houses and dance, sing and  enjoy eating sweets. It is a fun filled festival that marks the arrival of spring and end of winter. All kids enjoy this festival because it gives them a chance to get wet and throw water balloons at their friends or passerby's.

I always introduce the festival to little children by reading this informative book.

After reading, we do this fun water gun craft! 

Grab the template and a fact sheet about the festival from my TPT STORE.

How do you celebrate Holi with little children? Let me know by leaving a comment.

Diwali Activity

I am sharing a fun, non messy way to make rangoli for Diwali, with little kids this year. Just give them some foam shapes and let the magic unfold. 

I like children to get creative and come up with their own designs but if you want to give some scaffolding, you can draw the design with a marker and let them fill it up with shapes.

It is also a great way to quickly review shapes and colors and working with soft foam shapes will provide tactile experience for the little ones.

So go ahead and make rangoli with a twist this year!