Adding Toys
Here's What To Do
1
Gather a set of your child’s toys. Place one toy in front of your child. “How many toys do you have?
2
Next give them another toy. “Now I’m going to give you one more toy.”
3
Tell your child you are going to be putting all the toys together to see how many there are in all. Count the total of the big group, touching each toy as you count them.
4
Repeat, making different grouping combinations for the numbers 0-3. Allow your child to take the lead in making the toy combinations.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Stand face to face and take a deep breath together.
E
Engage:
- “I gave you 1 toy, and then I gave you 2 more. Let’s count to see how many you have now.”
- “Let’s make two different groups. How many should we put in each?”
E
Encourage:
- Encourage your child to describe what’s happening: “We started with 2 toys and added 1. Now we have 3!”
- If your child is struggling, count out loud together as you add, “1...2...3! Now we have 3 toys!”
R
Reflect:
- “What was the hardest part of this activity for you?”
Not quite ready?
Start with only 2 toys instead of 3.
Ready for more?
Have your child attempt to add up to 5 toys.
As your child masters this skill...
They will understand that groups of objects can be combined to make a bigger group.