Miss Allison's Friends

A retelling of a classic folktale, The Enormous Potato by Aubrey Davis, lends itself well to talking about ordering things by their size. Seriation is an important mathematical skill that can be practiced with a variety of found or created materials. Consider incorporating some outside time by collecting and ordering a set of rocks, leaves or sticks. What objects could show biggest to smallest around your house?   - Allison

The names of shapes are among the first math vocabulary that young children learn. But what I love about this shape book is that those are never even mentioned! Shapes, Reshape!  by Silvia Borando focuses on the fun of creating with shapes. At home, take this idea to the next level by using shape sorter pieces, pattern blocks, cookie cutters or just some good old construction paper to shape and reshape your child’s imagination.  What reshaping materials were hiding around your house?  - Allison

Developing an awareness of sounds in the environment is a precursor to phonological awareness. Simply put, practicing careful listening can improve a child’s ability to understand that both bear and ball go /b/. That is an important pre-literacy skill.  This video gets your child thinking about all the sounds around him or her and then suggests a fun way to practice careful listening.  What did you find at your house that makes a great sound?  - Allison