October is filled with pumpkins and falling leaves...both are wonderful ways to explore the world around us! Try this game the next time you are outside with the kids...
I Wonder Why?
When you are out with your child this month, ask questions that go beyond yes or no. Look around you and comment on what you see, like "Why do you think leaves fall off trees?" or "I wonder what happens to the moon during the day?" See what questions they can come up with to ask you!
What your child is learning: This game helps your child use their critical thinking skills to ask questions, and to make connections between what they already know with new and interesting ideas. You encourage them to be curious about the world and be a lifelong learner!
When children explore and learn about patterns, we help them build important foundations for later number work. Creating, extending, naming, and talking about patterns help build strong mathematicians.
Patterns can be many things; sounds, words, items, actions...but they always have "rules". Vroom has lots of ideas for activities that encourage patterns like this one -
What Comes Next?
Pick three food words and make a pattern, “banana, apple, pear.” Repeat it three times together with your child. Then leave out the last word and see if they can figure out what it is.
What your child is learning: When your child is listening to words and making patterns with you, they're creating and then using a rule. Understanding and applying rules will help them learn math concepts. When they guess what comes next, they're using their working memory.
“Nature’s Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You” by Susan Stockdale
It is never too soon or too late to be a Brain Builder! Get started with the free Vroom app on your smart device!
Download the FREE Daily Vroom app, enter a child's name and age. It's that simple! You are ready to start finding many fun ways to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities....
The cooler weather makes it extra nice to bake muffins. Including your child can help them learn patterns - One, Two, Three Foods is a fun game to play while cooking together!
Pick three food words such as “banana, apple, pear” to make a word pattern. Repeat with your child three times. Have them pick three food words and make a pattern three times: “fork, spoon, plate.” Talk about what word comes first, second, and third.
Pumpkin Apple Muffins
INGREDIENTS
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
15 ounce pumpkin, canned
1/2 cup oil
1 cup apple, chopped
DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 350° and line muffin pan with baking cups or spray each with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
2.In a large bowl beat eggs then mix in canned pumpkin and oil. Add dry ingredients and stir until just combined then gently stir in chopped apple.
3.Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full and bake 25-30 minutes.
Mealtime Message is a very sweet way to say "I love you"!
At mealtime, put a message next to your child’s plate. It may be a picture you tear out of a magazine, a quick note, or a drawing. As you sit down to eat, invite them to share the message. Take turns talking about the colors, letters, and pictures you both see.
A "Mealtime Message" is unexpected and fun. As you take turns talking about it, your child is learning to pay attention to details. They're also learning that marks and pictures stand for words and ideas, which is important when learning to read in the future.
Vroom gets us MOVING!
Vroom Tip #199 Nature Patterns Have your child collect items like rocks and leaves. Arrange them in a pattern such as one rock, two leaves, one rock, two leaves. Then mix them up and ask your child to recreate your pattern. Can they remember the order? Have them take a turn making a simple pattern for you to remember.
What your child is learning: Finding and repeating patterns builds focus and memory. It is a great way to make connections and solve problems. These are all important skills for learning. Playing with patterns also builds math skills like comparing sizes, numbers, and shapes.
