Course 3

Activity 1

Spread germs – wash your hands!

Duration: 10-15 minutes

What do you need?

  • glitter
  • lotion
  • soap and water
  • white craft paper

What to do:

  1. *Get your child’s hands damp by applying some lotion.
  2. In a shallow tray/container throw out some glitter. Allow your child to cover their hands fully with glitter.
  3. Explain to your child that the glitter represents “germs” and that their hands are now covered with germs.
  4. Your child can now press their hands onto a white paper and observe how many “germs” are left behind when they remove their hands.
  5. Assist your child to wash their hands with water only. (They learn that washing hands with water only doesn’t get it clean)
  6. Now let your child use soap and water to wash their hands. (Have your child observe how soap and water cleans better by removing all the germs easily)

*Performing simple experiments with young children has the following benefits:

  • Encouraging discussion: Talking about what you see, feel, taste, hear, smell and discover.
  • Observing changes: Children have the opportunity to develop their observational skills and identify changes and differences
  • Using our five senses: For example, smelling or touching and tactile discrimination

Activity 2

Mathematics counting and sorting

Duration: 5-10 minutes

What you need?

  • Bottle caps or plastic container lids
  • Marker (non-permanent if using plastic lids)

What to do: 

  1. Avail a variety of different colour bottle caps or plastic lids to your child.
  2. *Caregiver is to write number symbols 1-5 onto the top of the bottle caps (as shown)
  3. Count out 5 bottle caps/lids (aloud) with your child, ensuring to demonstrate touch counting.
  4. Now ask your child to sort colours accordingly. (Assist where necessary)
  5. Have your child count the items on his/her own using touch counting. Now count with him/her again.
  6. Allow your child to simply manipulate the bottle caps/lids as he/she wishes to in free play.

Activity 3

Bowling 

Duration: 5-10 minutes

What do you need?

  • Soda bottles/ plastic cups
  • Ball

What to do:

  1. *Caregiver is to set up bottles/cups like pins in a bowling alley
  2. Demonstrate to your child the need to roll it over using the ball.
  3. Now allow them to do it on their own
  4. Repeat for as long as your child shows an interest
  5. Bring awareness to counting how many get knocked over each time.
  6. Simply allow for fun and play!