DIY Counting Sticks Busy Bag

This post was contributed by Nadia of Teach Me Mommy.

Make Some Counting Sticks for a Busy Bag!

Counting is one of those skills children learn unintentionally, while playing various games, doing everyday activities, having conversations with adults; the list goes on and on. But that does not mean we cannot teach them about numbers and mathematical concepts. What we can do, is to make the learning fun. I made some DIY counting sticks for my 4 year old, and she had such fun playing and learning, that I intend to make more to use in my classroom too.  Here’s how I make them…

DIY Counting Sticks Busy Bag

Supplies:

• Wooden tongue depressors (thick craft sticks which I spray painted green)
• Velcro dots
• Pom poms
• Craft foam numbers

Steps:

• Add the velcro to the sticks. I only did up to number five for now, but will definitely make up to number ten soon.
• Add the foam numbers(or let your child do this part) to the corresponding dots.
• Now let your child add the pom poms to the dots.
• Throw your counting sticks in a small bag and take along for long car rides or waiting at the doctors office, too! Easy, quick learning fun!

Extending the activity:

• Let your child place the sticks in the correct order by themselves.
• Give instructions(working on listening skills, adding more instructions each time): only use pink pom poms, or find stick number three and add only yellow pom poms.
• Use different color pom pompoms and make a pattern: pink, green, pink, green.
• Use the stick for simple mathematical concepts: stick #1 together with stick #3 will give the same amount pom poms as stick #4, because it adds up.
• Tactile counting: keep a counting stick behind your back and feel with your fingers how many velcro dots you feel, counting them.

More Ways to Make Counting Fun:

Have you ever made a busy bag?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

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