Small, detailed finger-work lays the foundation for a toddler’s writing skills and hand-eye coordination. When your child performs a task that involves intricate finger movements, they are probably not only having fun, but also developing truly beneficial skills for the future!
That is one reason why I love this number game so much. When I play it with Rudy, he works on his understanding of numbers AND hand/eye coordination at the same time! What mommy doesn’t want that?!?
So here is a super easy and fun game that kills two birds with one stone…number comprehension and fine motor skills.
Number Clips
Supplies:
- 10 paper plates
- 10 clothes pins
- black marker
Set Up:
- On a paper plate, write the number one (numerical) in large font in the center of the plate. Underneath the numerical one, write the word “one” in smaller font.
- Do this to all ten plates using numbers one through ten.
How to Play:
- Mix up the plates so that they are out of order. Show your child one of the plates and have him tell you what number he sees. (As always, use your super-excited, happy voice!). Emphasize the numerical “one” and the word “one”.
- Show your child the pile of clothespins. Tell him to clip as many pins around the paper plate as the number says. Hold the plate for him as he clips them on.
Rudy likes it when I tell him to clip on the clothespins “really, really, really fast” or “reeeaaalllyyy slooooww”. But what he loves most about this game is the challenge of pinching the clothespin open and sticking it on the paper plate. This game really brings out the perfectionist in children!
As far as homeschooling activities go, it doesn’t get much easier than this! Minimal set-up and maximum learning are a great combo in my opinion!
I hope this game stimulates and amuses your children as much as it has mine. Please let me know how it works out for you!
