Here’s a spring activity I used to promote fine motor and math skills at preschool. This was a simple, easy to set-up math center that kept the kiddos busy for most of center time. They had a blast, all the whole improving their fine motor skills and practicing age-appropriate math skills.
I set out ice cube trays, large kid-friendly tweezers, and a variety of spring-themed erasers. Before the children began, I suggested they sort the erasers or make patterns with them. Each of the children grabbed an ice cube tray and a pair of tweezers and set to “work”.
They picked up the erasers one at a time with the tweezers, which really gave their fingers a workout. At the time, most of my students’ fine motor skills were on-track. However, there were a few who tended to shy away from most fine motor activities. This wasn’t a problem with this activity, though! They were so focused on moving the erasers to the ice cube trays that it didn’t occur to them. 🙂 I love when kids are having so much fun that they don’t realize they’re learning.
In addition to the great fine motor work, the erasers were used for different math skills. Some of the children chose to sort all of the erasers before doing anything else. I loved how into this task they were! They sorted by colors (yellow flowers, green flowers etc.). They sorted by type, as well (ladybugs, butterflies, etc.).
Once the erasers had been sorted, the patterning fun began. Many of the kiddos used one row of the ice cube tray for one pattern, while using the other row for a completely different pattern. A few of them chose to make just one pattern inside all rows of the ice cube trays. They were so excited to show Mary Poppins and I their patterns! A few of them even asked to show the patterns to our preschool director . . . they were THAT into this math play.
I will definitely be using the tiny erasers in the future. Of course, I think they’re too small to actually use as erasers! But they’re great for tons of other games and activities. Here are some other ideas for using the tiny erasers for math activities:
- Have the students place the correct amount of erasers by written numerals. For example, 5 erasers by the number 5.
- Use the erasers to illustrate beginning addition and subtraction skills.
- Match colors using the erasers. This can be done with color cards and/or written color words.
Those are just a few extension activities in regards to math! How would YOU use the tiny erasers with your students/children? I’d love to hear your ideas. 🙂
Shared at Sharing Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, Tuesday Tots, Tot School Tuesday, Hearts for Home, Tender Moments with Toddlers and Preschoolers, THE Pin-It Party, Kids Co-Op, For the Kids Friday
Sam @ Thrive 360 Living says
May 17, 2013 at 7:52 pmLove the variety of activities you can do with the small erasers and they are just so darn cute. Pinning! And can’t wait to do it with my son.
MaryC says
May 18, 2013 at 10:22 amThanks so much, Sam! Is it sad that I’m excited that I have a really good reason to buy more of those cute erasers?! 🙂 Let me know how your son likes them!
Stephanie@Twodaloo says
May 17, 2013 at 9:10 pmAdorable! Lots of playful learning happening and the erasers are just so darn CUTE!
MaryC says
May 18, 2013 at 10:22 amThanks Stephanie! I know . . . they are SO cute. Glad I have an excuse to purchase more now! 🙂
jackie says
May 17, 2013 at 10:01 pmThis is such a great idea! I just looooved those tiny erasers when I was a kid. I can totally see the hooligans getting right into this activity! Thanks so much for linking up, and for the inspiration! I’ve just pinned to my Fine Motor board. 🙂
Mary Catherine says
May 18, 2013 at 10:25 amThanks Jackie! Apparently, I still love tiny erasers! 🙂 Let me know what the hooligans think of this activity — love hearing how things go with other kiddos. And thanks for pinning!
Melinda@LookWhatMomFound...andDadtoo says
May 18, 2013 at 8:55 ami have a whole mess of these. I should give them to my niece to help practice before she starts school in the fall
Debbie says
May 18, 2013 at 6:30 pmThis is a great idea! Pinned it!
Mary Catherine says
May 19, 2013 at 1:43 pmThanks so much, Debbie! Let me know how it goes if you use it with your kiddos. 🙂
Amy says
May 19, 2013 at 9:35 amWhat a cute idea! I love the kid-friendly tweezers!
Mary Catherine says
May 19, 2013 at 1:43 pmThank you, Amy! 🙂 I’m pretty partial to the large kid tweezers, too. Using kids’ chopsticks also works well and provides some variety too.
JDaniel4's Mom says
May 19, 2013 at 12:09 pmWhat great ideas! I see sets of these all the time at the dollar store.
Mary Catherine says
May 19, 2013 at 1:46 pmThanks so much for stopping by! Let me know how it goes if you use it with your kiddo. 🙂 Now I have an excuse to get more little erasers!
Crystal says
May 21, 2013 at 12:25 pmFine motor skills are very important to practice. I love those wee erasers, they are good for so many things…I wish I could get them in the UK. Keep having fun!
Mary Catherine says
May 27, 2013 at 8:25 pmThanks, Crystal! I didn’t realize they aren’t available in the UK! Thanks so much for popping by!
Kirstylee says
May 21, 2013 at 3:17 pmThose erasers are so darling. I usually buy the bigger erasers for my toddler, but I think he is getting to the age now that he can use these smaller ones. Thanks for the idea!
Mary Catherine says
May 27, 2013 at 8:26 pmI love them too, Kirstylee! If you’re right there watching him, I bet he will do a great job. Let me know how it goes if you do try it out. 🙂
Ann says
May 23, 2013 at 9:14 pmI can totally see my son getting really engrossed in this activity. Great idea!
Mary Catherine says
May 27, 2013 at 8:30 pmAwww, thanks Ann! Some of my preschoolers did this every day for a week, for over 30 minutes each day. Those same kiddos asked for it the next week too. I loved how into the kids were. If you and your son try it out, let me know. 🙂
Alice (@mumsmakelists) says
May 28, 2013 at 8:04 amLove this!
Mary Catherine says
May 28, 2013 at 2:07 pmThanks Alice! 🙂
Andrea says
May 14, 2017 at 10:54 pmI would love to do these activities! Where do you find these cute erasers? I have been told Target but I have been going there and can never find any!!
Mary Catherine says
May 20, 2017 at 2:11 pmMy local Target rarely has those awesome mini erasers either. The erasers in these pictures were all purchased on Amazon. 🙂