I am truly one of those people who like to have a fixed curriculum. I like to have lesson plan complete with visuals, props, games, etc… As a teacher, I began to realize that kids learn a lot through the completely routine and sometimes “unplanned” activities. I call these on-the-go activities. The following are only a few of the so many easy, zero set-up, little or no materials needed activities:
Math Activities
Counting backwards: I count backwards a lot to indicate transitions, which include turning off the water for anything (such as washing hands), brushing teeth, moving from one room to another, changing clothes, etc…. Mix it up and count backwards from 7 or 13, have the kids help you. Be sure the shout “blast off” at the end, that’s the best part.
Counting steps: We count stairs all of the time and we also count how many steps we take to get to the mailbox, etc… Counting objects is important when learning one-to-one correspondence (being able to point and count to individual objects, not just counting aloud), but kids can often lose track of what objects they have counted, but counting steps tends to be a bit easier. Mix it up: Have kids guess how many steps or stairs before counting and see how close they are.
Number Identification: Panda could tell me every single digit number, but still struggles with double digits. We have begun to use speed limit signs to test his ability, at least he will be able to identify double digits ending in 0 or 5. Mix it up: Mastered the two digits? See if kids can count up or down from whatever number they see. For example: 45MPH, 46, 47, 48, etc… Super kids: Pick another number to add to the speed limit.
Directions: I am pretty sure my parents never taught me the difference between left and right and now I am severely directionally illiterate, just ask my husband. I even have problems navigating when google maps tells me which way to go. We work on left and right throughout the day, going for a walk, which way left or right? Which way are we turning.?? Mix it up: Go for a walk and let the kids decide if we should take a left or take a right or take a straight. Note: We have actually gotten lost in our own neighborhood, believe it or not. It might be good to bring your phone with you, so you can google your way home.
Reading Activities
I Spy with letter sounds: We play a lot of I Spy. My kids are masters of color, but recently started using letters and letter sounds, like I spy something that begins with an A or the sound “a”. Mix it up: Try spying end letters and sounds. Actually we use I spy for everything: I spy something that rhymes with cat. I spy something red. I spy two of something. I spy mommy’s favorite drink.
Music: Play those wonderfully repetitive, sort of annoying learning songs in the car when you know that there is an end in sight. We love Dr. Jean, but will often just grab a cd from the library or go on Spotify. We have actually listened to the alphabet song so much that Grizzly can even sort of sing along. Bonus: A lot of children’s songs actually teach rhyming, such as “Down by the Bay.” Take these songs and make up your own hilarious rhymes. Have you ever seen a cat eating a hat??
Context Clues: Panda loves anything that has to do with construction. When we are on walks, he is constantly asking me what the workers are building or fixing. Honestly, about ½ the time, I don’t even have a clue. Instead of making up answers, I ask him what he thinks they are building and then I ask him why…throwing his favorite word back in his face. Seriously, though, what does Panda see that makes him think that the construction workers are building a circus museum next to the park? I will never know. Bonus: Stop and ask the workers what they are building, if it is not too dangerous, of course. Many people are more than happy to respond to 1 or 2 questions.
Making Lists: One of Panda’s and Koala’s favorite things is to help me make lists, probably because they see how much joy lists bring me. They especially love to tell me what kinds of food they want for the week. Many grocery words are hard to sound out, but they can usually tell me the first letter. Mix it up: Have the kids write lists too. Inventive spelling is actually a very important part of development, so its completely ok for kids to misspell words. Not writing yet? Have them draw pictures of items.
Vocabulary: One of the easiest and most important skills you can help a child in learning is vocabulary. Seriously, just talk to your kid and name items. Once they get a hang of and can repeat simple words (cat), use descriptive words to enhance vocabulary. Brown cat, big, brown cat, ….Mix it up: Add emotions to the mix. Scary, big, brown cat. Happy, big, brown cat. Annoying, big, brown cat!
Honestly, I could probably write an entire book on easy, on-the-go activities. Even though I do like my planned instruction, real world learning is so much more important. With these activities, children are not only practicing skills, they are also applying these skills.
What are some of your favorite on the go activities?