Halloween Math

Aside from some pre-measuring and cooking activities, I haven't done too many math activities with my son.  With the possibility that he will begin Kindergarten next year (he'll be eligible but barley 5, so I may hold onto him one more year) I figured it was time we start.  Of course, as an advocate for play, I wanted it to be somewhat open ended, but I wanted a bit of structure as well.  

 I started with a chart sectioned into 4 distinct areas.  I'd purchased some Halloween foam stickers from the $0.99 store for such an occasion.  I placed one sticker in each section, then separated matching stickers into muffin tins.

I wasn't concerned with colors (although, I was secretly hoping for some sort of pattern!), simply shapes.  I told him he could peel the stickers and place them into the matching section, as many as he wanted, then we'd count them.   

 Peeling foam stickers is excellent fine motor practice!  

 Michael is extremely active with a short attention span.  He did match his shapes, but would only place 1 sticker in each column, so, I went with it.  After all, it's his first time and I did want this to be play-like and fun.

Once he placed his stickers, we counted how many he placed in each column.  I reminded him what a "1" looked like and let him write the number on his own.  

For some more Halloween math ideas check out:

Little Lucky: Halloween Activities (this site is in Romanian but she has Google Translate)

3 Jewels in my Crown: Pumpkin Seed Math

It's Playtime: This is Halloween!

I'll admit it, Halloween is my favorite day of the year.  I love dressing-up, I love Candy, and I love all things spooky that go bump in the night.  This week It's Playtime features my favorite Halloween activities from the past week so read on....IF YOU DARE!

Who doesn't want to serve up these Cheesy Witchy Fingers! from Mud Pies and Marmalade at their next Halloween party?  Once I checked out the recipe I realized how easy they are to make.  I bet they would be great served with some "bloody" pizza dipping sauce!

These adorable Tissue Paper Mummies from happy hooligans double as finger puppets.  What's better is they are so simple, your little one won't have any trouble putting them together.  

Make, do & friend put together this cute jack o' lantern sensory bag made with red lentils, foam shapes, and....well check out their site to find out more!

Develop some fine motor skills and sharpen creativity with these Styrofoam Monster Sculptures from The Chocolate Muffin Tree.  

Don't forget to include music and rhymes into your child's playtime!  Playing with words 365 posted these 10 Fall & Halloween Songs & Fingerplays for inspiration.  

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."  

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Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

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* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

It's Playtime: Spectacular Spiders

I have a love/hate relationship with spiders. Inside my house, they are creepy, invading my space and freaking-out my family. Outside, spiders are fascinating and a thing of beauty.

I found this spider at my parent's house in their rose buses.  It's beautifully constructed web waits for a passing fly or bee.  I wanted to get closer but a large section of ice-plant (and buzzing bees) grew between the sidewalk and the spider.  I feared the bees stings more then this amazing creature.  Spiders work so hard to catch the bugs we despise.  If there were no spiders in our world, we would be over run with flies and other insects.  I don't want to even imagine a world with out them!

At Halloween we celebrate spiders for the horrific, marvelous and creepy beings they are.  So this week's It's Playtime will also celebrate spiders...preschool style!

My favorite post this past week are these glorious Glow in the Dark Spider Balls from All Artful.  They are simpler to make then they appear and the end result is outstanding!

 Chicken Babies created this Lair of the Spider Queen play/adventure course, surprising her young children after nap.  Streamers + Spider Rings= Afternoon Adventures!

No preschool Halloween is complete without Golf Ball Webs and Finger Spiders!  Instead of the traditional black and white marble or golf ball webs, happy hooligans used some Halloween inspired colors for a more whimsical feel.  And of course, the googly eyes on the spider remove all spidery creepiness!  

Who doesn't want to eat these Incy Wincy Spider Chocolate Treats from Puddles and Gumboots?

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

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Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

It's Playtime: Boo! A Ghost!

My son likes to pretend he's a ghost.  Particularly, a blue ghost.  He places his blue blanket over his head and walks around the house (and outside in the grass), running into walls, because there aren't any eye holes.  He'll often asks, "Where am I?  You can't see me!"  I'm pretty sure this idea came from one of his favorite DVD's, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown ,which he watches ALL THE TIME.  Ghosts are funny things.  Like monsters, they can be scary, yet most of us, and our children, share a strange fascination for them.  As Halloween draws closer, I dedicate this weeks It's Playtime to the spooky, but often friendly (think Casper) ghosts of preschool play time.

When I first saw these Homemade Ghost Window Clings from Mommy Savers, I knew a ghost post (tee hee, I rhymed!) was in my future.  They are so easy!  Should you prefer transparent ghosts to white, check out these other Ghost Window Clings from Primary Junction.  Slightly different but just as cute!  

Next time you want to play with your preschooler, why not go Hunting for Ghosts?  Reading Confetti created this fun little game based on a book they read called Hoodwinked.  Recycled milk jugs are illuminated beautifully by flameless tea lights.  Children will have a great time searching for these little ghosts!

This Ghost Craft from Diary of a Working Mom was too cute NOT to share.  I love footprint ghosts!  They are sweet and I think, a great sensory project for kids.  Feeling paint squish between their toes is a different way to experience a common art material.  Take this project outside and really let them go wild with it.  Just because it's a craft doesn't mean you can't make a mess!

Although not an actual ghost, this Homemade Glow in the Dark Play Dough from Sun Hats and Wellie Boots casts a ghostly glow your kids will love!

Need some ghostly tales?  Try these preschool friendly ghost stories:
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
The Spookiest Halloween Ever
The Teeny Tiny Teacher
Spooky Hour

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

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Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

It's Playtime: Falling for Fall

Fall is my favorite season.  I love the colors on the trees, Halloween, and fall foods like pumpkin pie.  So this week on It's Playtime I'm paying homage to my favorite time of year by choosing activities I found creative, inspiring, and wonderfully FALL.  

Cutting can be a difficult skill for preschoolers to master, but is essential in fine motor development.  This great Fall Foliage activity from Toddler Approved combines cutting practice and process art for a colorful and fun masterpiece.  

I simply love sensory bins!  They are as unique and individual as the moms and teachers creating them.  This cute Down on the Farm Sensory Bin from Jada Roo Can Do combines wood pellets, farm toys, and fall themed items for scooping and sensory fun.  

Next to apples, my other favorite fall food is pumpkin.  I adore pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, and now, thanks to Dinosaurs and Octopuses, Pumpkin Pie Playdough.  Sure you may not want to eat it, but smelling it is enough for me!      

 If you have a toddler, fall is a wonderful season for exploring outdoors and trying new things.  Daisy Chains posted some wonderful Autumn Art and activities toddlers will love (tested and approved by her daughter).

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."    

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Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

It's Playtime: Apples Are in Season

Currently, I am homeschooling my preschool-aged son.  Our first theme unit is apples (oh how I love them so!), so this week on It's Playtime, I'm featuring some of my favorite apple themed projects to get us all in the mood for this yummy and versatile fall treat.

Apple-Stamping is a preschool favorite, but I love the addition of real leaves that the kids at happy hooligans added to their artwork.

Over at Pre-school Play, they created Apple Themed Playdough.  Besides the red and green dough, they added natural play elements such as twigs, leaves, and little apples.  A great sensory play experience for little ones.

 I love this Apple Tree Felt Game created by the Iowa Farmer!  A fun way for little ones to recognize big 'A' and little 'a'.  Easy, play-based fun.

 I don't usually feature the same blog twice but I just loved this Apple Rolling project from Pre-school Play!  If you don't have a slide, that's OK, simply allow your child(ren) to roll the apples around on some paper or in a box (similar to marble painting).  I have to say this project makes me want to buy a little plastic slide simply for painting purposes!  

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

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Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

Cooking with Kids: Applesauce

School is back in session and everybody is dusting off their apple themes for fall.  This year, I'm homeschooling my son so, I too, have had to brush off my teacher hat and figure out what the heck I'm going to do.  My son is not one for art, but he loves cooking, so I've made it a point to include several apple recipes in our homeschooling schedule.  Last week we started off easy and made one of my son's favorite foods...applesauce.

We used an extremely simple Applesauce recipe from Allrecipes.com.  I love this website because you can change the serving size and with a click of a button, the recipe will recalculate your measurements.  I chose 1 serving for this project.  We had several apples to choose from; Michael chose a green one.    

We began by cutting our apple.  We used the apple slicer together, then I gave Michael a safety knife (otherwise known as a pumpkin carving knife) so he could try to cut the apples into chunks on his own.  Apple peel has a lot of nutrition, so I left it on.    

 Then we placed the apples into a pot and added the sugar and cinnamon.   

 Michael loves Sid the Science Kid.  There is an episode about heat and change where Sid's preschool class makes applesauce.  Michael remembered the kids trying to mash the apples before they are cooked and wanted to try it too.  He discovered they were too hard to mash.  We talked about how heat will change the apples, making them softer, and we'd try again after the apples had cooked.  Then I added a bit of water to the apples and turned the heat on.  

 Michael was excited when the liquid started boiling.  

 Once the apples were nice and soft, Michael mashed them. 

 I learned that when you choose to hand mash apples, it is a good idea to remove the skin.  Had I thrown the apples into a blender instead, leaving the peels on would have been OK.  

 Yum, yum, time to eat!  Michael enjoys his tasty creation (except the peel).

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