Math

Pom Pom Colors and Counting

Materials: 

pom poms of any size in the colors that you would like to practice

paper plates

crayons, colored pencils, or markers

Bonus:  

All of these supplies should be available at your local dollar store!

Directions:  

Draw and fill in a large circle in each of the colors of your pom poms. 

Lay out the plates and place the pom poms in a plastic bag or container. Have your child place each pom pom on the correct color.  This is a great opportunity to teach science vocabulary like classifying, sorting, grouping.

Once pom poms have been placed on the correct plates, you can extend the activity by having your child count the number on each one. 

The same materials and concept can be used to learn numbers.  Write a number on each plate. Then draw dots that are approximately the same size as your pom poms to represent the number on the plate.  Have your child cover each of the dots with a pom pom.  Count as he/she covers them.

My son loved these activities!  He was two at the time, and he did well with sorting the colors.  The numbers took more coaching, but he seemed to take pride in getting the pom poms onto the dots.  The activities can be made more challenging by timing your child.  Depending on the age of the child, they may be able to draw and color the circles or write the numbers.  You can also work on fine motor skills by having your child use tongs, chopsticks, tweezers, or other items to pick up the pom poms.

How do you use craft pom poms in your teaching?  

Sarah