Learning Shapes

This is a simple game that can be adjusted to your childs needs.  I used a file folder and milk caps and drew the shapes on each.  Adeline matched the caps to the correct shape.

If you are just starting matching or shapes you may want to use two different shapes and less shapes on the folder.  This is completely adjustable.

Developing Memory

Recently a friend asked me if I had any ideas for a simple memory game.  I have been wanting to start working on more memory activities with Adeline so I created a simple game with a file folder.  Short term functional memory can be a challenge at times for people with Down syndrome  but it is so important.  We use our memory to speak, learn, and even move.

This activity is similar to the number flaps that we created last week.  I  cut off a file folder to make it shorter and then made some flaps.

 
I created some cards using idex cards to hide for our memory game.

One set I hide under the flaps the other was added to our "where is" pile.

Adeline would then try to find the circle.

We played this over and over.  Not only did this work on memory but it used fine motor, and reinforced her knowledge of colors, shapes and numbers.

Sensory Shapes

Adeline learns so much more when she is active and interacting with the learning materials.  Today we are playing with shapes in muck.  I made a corn starch mixture using water and corn starch.  I pour the starch in and slowly add a little water at a time mixing with my hands.  I don't want it to be thin but not to thick ether. It is important to pour slowly and mix.  I then added the shapes.

This sensory learning activity could be done with many different items, such as numbers, colors, and letters. 

Celebrating New Life!

With Easter approaching I though we would focus on new life.  We started earlier this week using some animal cards I printed from 1+1+1=1.  We did some matching the baby animal to the mommy.

These animals come with a complete pack of animal printables. We just used the cards for now.

Today we worked on a butterfly shapes and colors puzzle.  I love this puzzle because we do sorting, colors and shapes.

Since we were already talking about butterflies we did some paper "stick" on contact paper.  I really love using contact paper with Adeline we can do so many different activities.  Today we made butterflies and a cross for "new life".  They look great hanging in the window,

Brown Bags and Shapes

I have this very large stock of brown lunch bags that I purchased at Sam's Club quite awhile ago that I needed to start using, so today was the day.  I wanted to work with our new drip pan board again and reinforce shapes.  I cut the brown bags down and made them even a little shorted in the front and colored a line near the opening.  I then colored a shape on the front of each bag and laminated them.  I had to cut a slit at the opening through the laminating film but I now have a little pocket for each shape.

We worked on sorting shapes.

I found another poster at the Dollar Tree featuring shapes, so I cut this one up also onto cards and laminated it.  I added magnetic stripping to the backs of all this,  I love the stuff!  I had Adeline sit on her stool for this activity to work on balance.  I cut some foam sheets into shapes and we sorted more shapes.  I am really trying to get Adeline to put an adjective with a noun so we really talked about "red circle", and "green square".

Later we pulled out one of my favorite Melissa and Doug puzzles and worked on it while sitting on the Trumpette.

I really like these chunky puzzles, Adeline has a couple.  I think they were easier for her start with than a knobbed puzzle.

Tot School- Educational Cubes- Learning Shapes

I have seen these cubes being used on some different early learning blogs si I though it would be fun to give them a try.  I always like to present information that we are learning in a different form to make sure Adeline is really comprehending.  I really like the cube idea also because I can slip the concept in and leave it for Adeline to interact with and it won't be destroyed.  I don't always feel like I can leave her flashcards with her all day long, but this works.

Here Adeline is matching the picture facing her on the cube to the picture on the table.  She really liked this activity, later she continued to play this game by herself.  I also like it because she is receiving "input" on her own.


The mom that created this idea is amazing --so creative. On her site she has over 200 printable that can be used in the cubes.  We will be using these a lot.  Here is a link.

http://www.educationcubes.com/

Later, we worked on our stacking cups.  Adeline is not really into these, but we did it. First, she wanted to stack them "up".  Stacking is one of our weak areas we can usually get a few up before she has had it, and crashes it.

Next we put the cups "in".