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Easy project for pre-schoolers and toddler math - 2 articles
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Preschool:
An Easy Project with Vinegar and Milk
Making Science Less Abstract for Preschoolers
by: Nicole Brekelbaum
A simple experiment that can help preschoolers discover and enjoy the wonders of science.
Most childcare businesses supervise children for more than three hours a day, five days a week. Such long hours in care can have a serious impact on a child's growth and development.
Businesses that offer educational curriculums help children grow academically and help prepare them for school.
Science plays an important role in the learning process and should also be included as part of the curriculum.
Science encourages preschoolers to ask questions, make predictions, and find answers to some fascinating questions. Here is an interesting experiment that can help teach science to preschoolers.
We came across ideas for this experiment on PBS Kids Website (www.pbskids.org).
We tried it ourselves, at Young Achievers Inc., and it was an extreme success.
First, we had circle time with the kids and recited some classic nursery rhymes. One of the nursery rhymes was the age-old rhyme, Little Miss Muffet.
After singing in our circle we asked the kids some questions about Little Miss Muffet.
We discovered that they knew what Little Miss Muffet sat on, what she ate, and what frightened her. We then posed a thought-provoking question to the preschoolers.
Can the curds be separated from Miss Muffet's curds and whey? The children responded with interesting answers. Their answers became our scientific hypotheses.
We documented all responses in large text on our chalkboard so that the children can see and value their predictions. We then headed to the kitchen "laboratory" to see whose prediction was true.
We had the kids sit at the table and measure the milk and vinegar portions for the experiment. They counted how many cups of milk were needed and how many tablespoons of vinegar to add.
It was now time to blast the mixture into the microwave for two minutes. We recommend that an adult perform this part of the experiment to avoid placing children in harms way.
After two minutes, the mixture was ready to be taken out of the microwave.
We allowed it to cool for several minutes and then the children compared two samples of the mixture before and after it was placed in the microwave.
They observed that the mixture was lumpier after being heated in the microwave. The children then strained the mixture by using kitchen towels. What remained was a white, rubbery substance - the curds.
They were excited. They saw first-hand what Miss Muffet ate. Then they discovered through experimentation that curds can be separated from Miss Muffet?s curds and whey.
The children dyed the curds different colors using food coloring and made their own rubbery type of play dough. They loved touching the curds and feeling its texture.
Some children even shaped the curds into cool looking dinosaurs and flowers with our help. At the end of the day the children were enlightened and had a great appreciation for science.
They were all proud to show their parents what they had done. They were truly young scientists!
If you would like to try this with children at your childcare business we recommend the experiment for children ages 3 and up. The following materials are needed:
3 cups of Skim Milk
2 tablespoons of white vinegar
Microwave-safe bowl for mixing and heating
Kitchen towels for straining
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About The Author
Nicole Brekelbaum is the director at Young Achievers Inc. - A home-based learning center for aspiring youth located in Pflugerville, Texas.
She has been providing childcare in her home since her career switch from working engineer to childcare director and mom.
Visit her company's website at http://www.youngachieversinc.com
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This article was posted on February 04, 2005
Nicole Brekelbaum
Article Source: The Free Internet Articles Directory
Fun Counting and Math Games for Children by Steve Miers
Whether you have a 2 year old who is just starting to learn numbers or a 10 year old that knows subtraction or addition, it is never too early or too late to learn about counting or math games.
Children that are young benefit from games that teach them how to count objects and recognize numbers whereas older children benefit from games that help them learn how to add and subtract and build the basis for learning about algebra.
Aside from the obvious board games where you roll the dice and move your game piece a certain number of spaces, there are plenty of other counting games that you can play. Dominoes can keep kids busy for hours. I recently spent over 1 hour playing with dominoes with my two year old. We counted the numbers of dots.
We counted the dominos as we stacked them or put them in or out of the container. We lined them up and counted them together. After they were all lined up, I let him push the first domino to make them all fall down.
Hide things in your house such as blocks, plastic eggs or marbles. Before you hide them, count them with your child. Then, they can go find them all. Once they have been found, they can count them again to make sure that they have all been found.
Older kids can add or subtract to figure out how many they have left to find. In order to encourage sharing, have two or more children hunt the objects. At the end of the hunt, count the number in each kid's bucket. Then work together to make sure that everyone has the same amount in their bucket.
Drop objects in a bucket or plastic containers that are lined up next to each other. Count how many objects are in each bucket. Count the number of objects that did not make it into a container. Once again, take the opportunity to incorporate addition or subtraction with older children.
Young children love learning about eyes, ears, fingers, toes, etc. Count body parts together. For instance ask, "How many eyes does Mommy have?" or "How many fingers do you have?" Count familiar household items such as pets, shoes or pots and pans.
Children also love to eat snacks, so incorporate counting with snack time. Ask "How many Cheerios do you have?" or "How many Goldfish are in the blue cup? How many are in the red cup?" Count out snacks to make sure each child has the same amount.
If one child has two more Cheerios than another one, teach them to give the other child one of their's so that they have the same amount.
Be creative in teaching your child to count. They love to count and learn, but they also want to have fun too. It is possible to incorporate both in daily activities. Lead by example and show them how you count things.
You don't want to have them counting and reciting numbers all day long, but at the same time there are so many opportunities to help them learn their numbers. Work with your children to come up with your own fun games and counting activities.
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