It is not easy to learn to read, count and do arithmetic. StraightChildren in elementary schoolor in preschool find it difficult because they don't have learning habits yet. Parents can support them and practice what they have learned in a playful way. In today's post we have put together several ideas on how you can make an apple tree and learn arithmetic, counting and the alphabet in a playful way with your children.
Make an apple tree and learn arithmetic: game for preschool children
The first idea isfor a game, with which you can practice counting and arithmetic in a playful way. These are the necessary materials:
- 12 small pompoms in yellow and red
- a template for the apple tree (see below)
- Cardboard in green and brown
- two small cubes
- a black marker
- a pair of scissors
- Paper glue
Directions:
1. Print out the template, transfer the tree crown to green construction paper and the tree trunk to brown construction paper and assemble the tree.
2. Draw three 2 cm x 2 cm squares in the middle and one below the other on the tree trunk and cut them out.
3. Cut a 2 cm wide strip out of the green construction paper and write a question mark in the middle. To the left of the question mark write the numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5. To the right of the question mark write 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
How to play: Arrange several yellow and red pom-poms on the top of the tree. Ask the child how many yellow andred applesthere are. Then the child has to find the number of red ones on the first die and the number of yellow ones on the second die. The child then has to add the two numbers together and find the answer on the green stripe.
Making an apple out of paper: learning the alphabet
Forthe next game ideaYou will need an apple tree (which you can make out of brown and green construction paper), a pencil, a clothespin, lots of small red pompoms and letters (you can find small foam letters in craft shops).
How to play: You take a letter made of foam and show it to the child. It takes a pom-pom with the clothespin and places it on the same letter you showed.
Finally, you can print out the apple tree template shown above. Have the children trace the letters using dots. Rewriting promotes the dexterity of children's hands and is a lot of fun.
Make an apple tree and practice counting
Counting develops logic and helps the child better understand the abstract in mathematics. That's why it's a core skill that children between the ages of 3 and 6 should definitely learn. Parents sometimes find it difficult to practice counting with their children. In these cases, a trick can help: Make an apple tree and practice counting apples. You need the following materials:
- Cardboard in green and red
- a disposable cup
- white pipe cleaners
- a toilet paper roll
- self-adhesive Velcro points
- brown color
- a flat brush
- a pair of scissors
Directions:
- Draw the treetop freehand on the green cardboard and cut it out.
- Color the toilet paper roll brown and cut it.
- Cut apples out of the red cardboard.
- Putting together the apple tree. Attach the apples using the Velcro fastening points.
- Make a “basket” out of a piece of pipe cleaner and the jar.
- “Pick” and count the apples together with the child.
If you want to practice not only counting but also arithmetic, then you can choose the next craft idea. Cut out several tree tops from green construction paper and paint apples on them. Use a fineliner to write different numbers on clothespins. The child should put the apple trees together. The first thing that counts is how many apples the tree has. Then it looks for the clothespin with the corresponding number. For example: If the tree has four apples, then the child should choose the clothespin with number 4 on it.
Make an apple tree and learn to add and subtract
You can also practice adding and subtracting with the children. Make an apple tree out of cardboard and draw the contours of the apples. Write different tasks on self-adhesive paper, cut them out and stick them on the apples. Then cut out apples from red cardboard and write different numbers on them. The child should solve the problem and then find the apple with the answer. For example:
Task 2 + 3, correct answer 5, the child has to find the apple with a “5” on it.
Painting an apple tree: instructions
Children of daycare agelove to paint. You can combine painting with counting. Print out a template with a tree and make stamps using a sponge and clothespins. You can use a craft knife to cut several circles out of the sponge. Then hold it in place with a clothespin. Put some red paint in a disposable plate and stamp red apples on the tree. You can also stamp green and yellow apples. Now you can count how many green, yellow and red apples were stamped and then calculate how many apples were painted in total.
Make an apple tree out of paper
Do you have an empty wall in your child's room? Then the next craft idea is just for you. Attach a transparent self-adhesive film to the wall using adhesive tape strips. Draw the outline of an apple tree on it with a marker. Cut the tree leaves and “bark” out of crepe paper. For the apples, use yellow or red pom-poms. The child can put together the picture alone. You can then count the apples.
Make an apple tree: Make beautiful decorations yourself with the children
The next DIY idea combines crafting and counting. Collect pine cones, wrap them with green knitting yarn and glue or insert red pom-poms between the stamens. Display the cones on spools. The fall decoration is ready.
Now you can practice counting with the children. You can also make multiple trees with one, two, three, four, five and six apples each. This means the children can also solve simple tasks.
A worksheet can make counting and arithmetic much easier. You can also practice writing numbers with the children.
Make a 3D apple tree
Create a collage with the children. You need the following materials:
- light and dark green crepe paper
- Construction paper in blue
- red pompoms
- adhesive
- a toilet paper roll
- a pair of scissors
First, cut the toilet paper roll in two lengthways and stick one half onto the sheet of construction paper. Form the treetop from the light and dark green crepe paper. Finally, attach the pompoms. The child can also draw a house next to the apple tree.
Make a 3D apple tree
Crafting and counting at the same time: The next DIY idea makes it possible. Fold a cone out of green cardboard, paint a toilet paper roll brown and put together the apple tree. Now put some red paint on a disposable plate. The child should now dip a finger into the paint and then stamp “apples”. Meanwhile you can count the apples together. Finally, you can color the apple stems with a green marker.
Making an apple tree: ideas for kindergarten-aged children
Children of kindergarten age are just learning to count. Practice this core skill with the next craft idea. You need the following materials:
- Construction paper in brown and green
- a pencil
- a pair of scissors
- red pompoms
- double-sided tape
- Lay out the brown construction paper on the work surface. Trace the outline of the child's hand on it and cut out the “tree trunk”.
- Cut out a tree crown from the green construction paper and glue the two details together.
- Finally, attach the red pompoms. Use the double-sided tape.
- Now the children can count the “apples”.
Make an apple tree with the children and learn about the seasons
An apple tree is constantly changing. It blooms in spring and bears fruit in summer, which are small and green. In autumn the apples turn golden yellow or red and can be picked. In winter the tree sheds its leaves. With a suitable worksheet you can explain the turn of the year to the children quickly and easily.
Make a 3D apple tree with the children
Of course, you can also make other apple trees with kindergarten-aged children. Three-dimensional trees are particularly well received. The children can help with crafts and glue or paint the details. Make an apple tree out of construction paper. For the leaves you need twenty 3 cm wide strips. Glue the ends of a strip together to make a ring. Then you can create a collage and form the tree top with rings and red pom-poms.
Kindergarten-aged children love tracing pictures using dots. With a little skill and patience you will be able to draw an apple tree. To make it quicker, you can use a template. Then have the children count the apples and flowers.
Crafting promotes concentration and skill. It's fun and it can also help you learn the alphabet and practice counting and arithmetic. What is particularly important is that the tasks are age-appropriate and that the children have at least some mastery of the necessary core skills.
Find out what educational games for children you can make with clothespinsin this article.
