My second son is in grade 1 and these are a collection of on line games that he likes to play (and that I also approve of!). If you are looking for games for younger children I have also collated a list of 10 online learning games for preschoolers.

MATHS
(1). Rainforest Maths
This site actually caters for all levels from kindergarden to Year 7. They then break down the types of games into the curriculum areas of maths: number, patterns, measurement and space.

(2). Mathletics
This is the only game in this list which is not free, but I have included because I have never seem and educational based game create the level of enthusiasm that this one does. We now pay an additional levy at the children’s school which is for their 12 month subscriptions. As the whole school does this, the fee is substantially cheaper.

This game also caters for all ages up to year 12 and is broken down into the separate maths areas. Children have an avatar and as they build up credits through improving on their personal best scores, they can then buy different background, clothes etc for their avatar.

The other major highlight is that they can compete against other children from around the world in a timed quiz. This is probably the favourite activity for my kids.

(3). Count Us In
This site is definitely on the easier end of the game section, but the bonus is that you can link it in to the TV show, so you can really help consolidate some basic mathematical concepts. For more information about the TV show, see my post on Selecting TV Programs For Children.

(4). Snakes and Ladders
An online version of a very traditional game. This can be played with one or two players.

(5). Math Dojo
A martial arts themed game that helps children quickly recite their basic number facts. They then can replay their results to see their turtle do some smooth moves.

ENGLISH
(6). Once upon a ……
Children need to select adjectives, nouns, verbs etc to fill in the gaps, which will create their own silly story.

(7). Poem Pack
A simple game teaching children the long vowel sounds made by different combinations of letters.

(8). Plank Walk
A twist on the old traditional hang man game.

(9). Word Order
Children need to put words into alphabetical order. As each stage is completed, the child has a choice to increase the level as they go along.

(10). Oz Speller
This site also caters for all primary school levels. Children can listen to the word, read the definition and sentence to work out what the word is that they need to spell.

What online games are your children enjoying at the moment?

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As I set out in my post about TV we limit the time our children have watching TV and we also deal with time on the computer in the same way.

I am happy to sit with my preschooler and teach her how to navigate the screens etc so that she can play some online games on the computer. Limited and used in conjunction with other learning experiences, I believe that the computer can be a learning tool.

I like find online games that are age appropriate, that are in areas of her interest and that have some learning possibilities. Here is a list of 10 such games that we have had fun with:

(1). Colour Game
This is always the first game that I introduce preschoolers to. The child needs to select a colour by clicking the mouse and then clicking the area of the picture that they want to colour.

It is a great introductory game as it really focuses on mouse control from a technical aspect and from a primary learning aspect you can name reinforce their colour identification.

(2). Animal Bingo
This game requires the preschooler to listen to the animal sound and then click on the animal which makes that noise. Great activity for them to practice their listening skills and increase their animal knowledge.

(3). The Bernstain Bears Pack A Picnic Game
This game requires the preschooler to follow prompts on the screen to find particular items. It focuses primarily on the observational skills of the child.

(4). Keyboard-o-rama
This is an exploratory style game for the preschooler, where Elmo explains what they keys on the keyboard mean.

(5). Memory Game
Most preschool game sites will have a version of the memory card game. It is a great way to move from the real world to the virtual world, as the preschooler is generally already aware of the rules of this game.

(6). The Wiggles Shape Match
The preschooler can work on their mouse skills as they need to click and drag shapes to their right spot.

(7). Joe’s Maze
Again this takes a familiar concept and adopts in to the computer for the preschooler. They preschooler has to use the arrow keys to move the rabbit to its broccoli. Perfect for discussion of directions for example right, left, up and down.

(8). Hickory Dickory Dock Game
Excellent simple game reinforcing the preschoolers recall of numbers and introducing the clock concept.

(9). Dress Caillou
This is a recent find for me and I am going to use with my preschooler as an way of teaching about what clothes are appropriate for the weather we are experiencing. (Possum still wants to wear shorts even though when we are walking to school in the morning it is only 7 degrees celsius!)

(10). Brick Buster Game
This is game probably requires the most nimble computer skills of all the ones I have listed. It requires the preschooler to match up colour bricks by clicking the right column for them to be dropped into. This a level style game, with the child able to progress to more complex levels.

I would love to hear of any online games that you play with your preschooler and have found fun and valuable.

Technorati Tags: learning, online games, preschool

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My preschooler Possum, has started showing lots of interest in the early steps of numeracy and literacy. That is, she wants to know lots about numbers and is constantly “writing” letters to her friends and family. I like to take the lead from the kids as to when they need additional stimuli in the key developmental areas, so I have given quite a bit of thought lately as to how I can satisfy her needs in this area.

I also like to keep learning at this age informal - it should not feel like a lesson, just something fun to do with mum. Finding the time to fit in learning opportunities can be tricky, so where possible I try and format the activities so that they fit into part of our daily life. Below I have listed 10 activities that Possum and I can do together, which will help stimulate and support her interest in early numeracy and literacy. I am probably doing about two thirds of these activities with her already. The remainder are ones which I did with her brothers at a similar age, so will try them with Possum and see how we go.

ON THE WALK TO SCHOOL
(1). The Letter Box Game
As we walk along we take turns in reading aloud the numbers on the letter boxes of the houses we pass.
AIM: Number recognition.

(2). “I went shopping and I bought……..” Game
Modified version of the traditional game that I play with the older children. We play that one of us says “I went shopping and I bought four things……..”. For example I bought an apple, a carrot, juice and bread. The other player has to remember the four items.
AIM: Memory and counting up to four.

AT AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
As noted in a previous post, we can spend a lot of time hanging out at Possum’s brothers after school activities. This can actually can provide us with opportunities for short session of fun.

(3). I spy
Again this is a modified version of the original game. I will choose three objects to have in front of us, whose names start with a different sound, for example a car, a ball and a snake (obviously all of the toy variety!). I will get Possum to name all the objects. This just clarifies that we have the same name in mind for each object, for example it ball and not football. We then have a short discussion on the starting sound of each object and then we start to play. “I spy with my little eye, something starting with c.” Always using the phonetic sound of the starting letter.
AIM: Start awareness of phonetic sounds of the alphabet.

(4). Rolling Die
My kids love die, so this is always easy to get even the older children to play along (I just add more die for the older children; get them to work on their addition). We take turns in rolling the die and work out what number each has rolled. We then work out who won by having the highest/lowest number.
AIM: Start building one to one matching numeracy and an understanding of the relativity of numbers.

(5). Pencil Control
I pack a clipboard and pencils to take with us to the after school activity. I put together a pack of activities for her to do, all based around gaining adequate control of the pencil. Before a preschooler can write letters, they need to be able to have control of the pencil. I am focusing on two types of sheets at the moment - tracing over patterns and mazes. (Both these links have free printables.)
AIM: Increase pencil control

AROUND THE HOME
(6). Cooking
Cooking with a preschooler provides many opportunities for them to learn early numeracy skills. Discussing amounts in numerical terms, time values, number recognition on measuring cups, in the recipe etc. I just need to remember to talk about all these things as we do it!
AIM: General numeracy awareness.

(7). Sorting and Classifying
These are both essential learning paths on the road of maths! There are also many opportunities in the daily activities of home life that I can let Possum practice on like: putting the cutlery (no sharp knives though!) away; sorting out the dirty washing and; putting waste in the right bin - rubbish, compost, recyclables.
AIM: Introduction to mathematical vocabulary and concepts.

SHOPPING
(8). Gatherer Game
When we are at the market or the supermarket, Possum is my Gatherer. I tell her how many of each item we need and she gathers the right amount and puts them in the trolley.
AIM: Practice counting, one to one matching

(9). Paying the Bills
Allowing Possum where possible to have a turn at paying for the goods we purchase. We talk about the numbers on the money and how there are dollars and cents. Talk about whether or not we will get change.
AIM: Introduction to currency.

(10). Symbol Spotting
Point out to Possum symbols around the shops and in the car, so she can gain an understanding of what these things mean. For example on exit signs, the icon of the man running - that’s where we can exit the building, the S symbol of non standing signs - mum can’t park there because it is not allowed and she would get a fine.
AIM: Introduction to symbolism.

Planning these early learning activities into part of our everyday life means that:

- We will actually do them.

- They are fun and not overly structured.

- Allows Possum to become more aware of the environment around her and how it is filled with numbers and words.

Technorati Tags: learning, parenting, preschool

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