Find a recipe that the children can help you follow. Read the recipe to them and allow them to help you gather the ingredients. Encourage them to measure, pour, and mix the ingredients when appropriate. Serve the results at lunch or snack time.
Cooking is a great way to integrate many areas of learning. The children will build their math concepts through counting and measuring. They will build their literacy and listening skills by looking at and hearing you read the recipe to them. They will feel proud of their efforts when they can enjoy the end results.
Use the calendar as a math tool. Have the calendar helper put the correct number on the calendar and practice counting the days of the month. By the end of each month, the children will be counting to at least 30! Point out and discuss special days – birthdays, holidays, and special events in school.
Using the calendar to help with math time is a guarantee that the children will be exposed to numeration skills daily. They will grow from the routine of doing the same thing daily, and they will become more confident as they learn to identify numbers.
Turn the Dramatic Play Center into a train or airplane. Have one child take the tickets, another child assign seats, and still another child be the engineer or pilot. Participate in the role-play by modeling various transportation-related jobs such as ticket taker or engineer.
Taking this adventure with your students will build their imaginations, give them responsibilities, and give them an opportunity to work with other children and adults. They will build their vocabularies, learn to take turns, and build their listening skills.