Learning Maths Vocabulary while Playing Toddler Games with Sand Toys
Focus: Sand Play Toys
Sandcastle toys are another must have item for a toddler. They can be used in the bath, pools or in the sand. Take a look at a video of me letting you know why I think they are amazing toys for teaching concepts, vocabulary and even “maths vocabulary” (empty, full, half full, smaller than, bigger than.) See our FREE MATHS VOCABULARY builder download as well.
Observe
Often children love sand pit or beach play. Many parents report their toddler can spend hours in the sandpit.
Is this true for your child?
What does their play look like?
Are they focused on one big building project, just trying out all the tools and toys in the sandpit or engaging in pretend play (cooking, construction site).
Are they making noises or talking about what they are doing or are they just concentrating on “what” they are doing?
Does your child mind getting sand all over them or are they a little bit sensory unsure (keep brushing sand off their hands, leaning into the pit but not getting right in there, will use tools (rake, spade) but not their hands)?
Communicating with others
Sand play lends itself to “team work”. You can build a whole city of castles together with gates and moats. It is a great opportunity to encourage your child to not only listen to the suggestions of others (e.g., we could decorate it with these shells) or to encourage them to offer their own suggestions (e.g., to dig a tunnel).
Remember at first they may just point or start the actions that match their ideas. If you can “commentate” or describe what is happening in the sand play you are providing excellent models of words and sounds your child can use themselves another time.
Sand play can also help develop early “negotiation” skills (“I want it to go here”; “no not that one…”; ”yeah good idea”). Again by you putting words to their feelings and their actions you are encouraging both their understanding and use of social words.
understanding of language comes before talking
Children generally understand a word well before we hear them use it in their speech.
Encouraging understanding vocabulary – often known as “receptive vocabulary” is therefore important to boost “expressive vocabulary” (the words toddlers say). Understanding vocabulary is vital for not only getting your toddler to speak but also for later academic success.
Did you know that early vocabulary has been linked to higher IQ's and ease of learning in school.
vocabulary is even important for maths
NO you say – Numbers are important for maths. Well yes of course maths has very specific vocabulary that can make or break you toddler’s later maths success. Words like add more water, take some sand out (suddenly we see add = addition; and take away = subtraction).
We have a link to a FREE EARLY MATHS VOCABULARY download. This is great to print out and have on your fridge so you can remember to deliberately use these words in your play and interactions with your toddler.
IS YOUR CHILD
a LATE TALKER?
spoken speech & language
Our ONLINE FIRST WORDS screener allows you to determine the total number of spoken words your toddler is currently saying so you can see on the supplied chart if they are doing OK, advanced or delayed vocabulary for their age. This test can be redone every month or so to see if they are progressing.
BUT the ONLINE FIRST WORD SCREENER also checks your child is saying words in lots of different categories like object names, describing words and a very important category “action words” or verbs.
Well here are just a few
digging, scooping, shovelling, tipping, wetting, squeezing, stirring, mixing, shaking, pushing, hiding, finding, covering, emptying, filling, building, knocking, moving, scraping, changing, pouring, rolling, patting, raking and I’m sure there are heaps more!!!
IS YOUR CHILD
a LATE TALKER?
Just pick one or two and repeat them over and over as you play the same game a few times in succession e.g. hide 5 little dinosaurs and “dig them up” – e.g. one hiding, two hiding, more hiding! "Digging, more digging, Oh found it, Digging, digging more digging. FOUND it" etc.
A recent study (Hsu, 2017) found that the bigger range of different verbs (action words) used in parent input at 21 months of age, impacted notably on the child's use of action words 6 months later!
Let us know in the comments what words or ideas you have to boost speech and language with sandpit toys!
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