Domino Addition

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9........

It's a Month of Math!

One of the best ways to develop math skills is by using simple visual, tactile objects.  Domino Addition, by Lynnette Long, uses dominoes to teach number recognition, counting, and simple addition.  This is a great book to use with early learners along with a set of dominoes so that they can manipulate the tiles as they listen to the story.  Long does a terrific job of using a readily available game to extend learning.  One example of the way she teaches number recognition and counting is through the photographs of domino tiles arranged in a number (such as 4) and then asking the reader to find the dominoes that have 4 dots on it.  An answer key is given at the bottom of those pages.

If your child is beginning to add single digit numbers, this is a great book to use!

Question Collection:

*Can you arrange dominoes to make numerals?

*Can you make some addition facts with dominoes and write the equations for them?

*What did you learn from this book?

Blokus Junior Game

Are you looking for a strategy game that will challenge your child?  We found that the Blokus Junior Game is a fun way for children to begin understanding strategies in a visual manner.  Small green and red two dimensional blocks are configured in various ways and placed on a grid.  The object of the game is to place as many of your pieces on the board as you alternate turns with another player.  The winner is the person with the fewest blocks left.

Paper patterns are also included in the game set so that your children can copy the pre-made patterns.  As your children understand more of the game, they can just use the plastic grid to make their own designs.

We like this game as a family because it changes each time you play it and really makes players aware of visual strategy.  As learning becomes more visually oriented we think this will build visual skills.  We hope you enjoy this game as much as we do!