Check out these DIY tactile dandelion counting cards! They are so fun to create and help children learn number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and other counting skills. They make a cute decoration and learning tool. Head outside to make them today!
Young children in preschool and kindergarten learn best by “doing” and actively participating in their learning. Touching objects helps children move from concrete to abstract thinking which is necessary for later tasks such as reading and more complex math work.
These tactile dandelion counting cards are the perfect spring activity! Not only does this activity help children learn essential early math skills, but it also gives children the chance to get outside and strengthen both fine and gross motor skills.
Ready to make these counting cards!? Here’s what you’ll need..
Supplies:
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RELATED: Check out How to Make a Simple Dandelion Frame
Here’s How We Made Them:
Step 1:
Cut pieces of cardboard, write the numbers on them, and poke holes for the dandelions stems. I had to use a sharp landscaping tool to poke a small hole, then used a pencil to widen the hole.
Step 2:
Collect your dandelions. Kids strengthen fine motor skills by picking dandelions and work on gross motor skills by running from dandelion to dandelion and bending down to pick them!
Kids also work on hand-eye coordination by threading the dandelion stems through the holes on the cards.
Step 3:
Tape the stems to the back of the board. The tape will help keep the dandelions in place and this method is much easier than gluing the dandelion heads! We have our fair share of messy projects, but sometimes mess-free is the way to go.
Now kids can work on number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and other counting skills! The dandelions feel so soft and look so cute on the cards!
My boys are drawn to these cards and use them in their own way. My four year old likes to touch them one at a time to practice counting and my six year old likes to put 3 cards next to each other to practice 3 number addition problems.
The dandelions will eventually dry out and shrink, but the still look super cute on the board! When you are finished with the cards, just take the dandelions out and save the cards for wildflower season!
Pin it and save it for later!
I hope you give this simple nature activity a try! I promise, your little nature lovers will love it as much as my boys.
∼Tara
