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This post is sponsored by LEGO DUPLO and Nuffnang

In this post we show you a variety of different ways to play and learn with LEGO DUPLO.

LEGO DUPLO has been a part of my life since my earliest memories. My brothers and I played DUPLO a lot while we were growing up, before they moved onto LEGO and I got lost in a world of books.

My kids (aged 2 and 5) play LEGO DUPLO often now as well. I couldn't wait to bring out the set that I used to play with as a child. My kids started playing with that set (just as I had) and have since added to our collection.

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Welcome back to the "Playful Maths" weekly series brought to you by

  Learn with Play at home (us) and The Imagination Tree

Together, let's make MATHS FUN!

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Last week I shared Block Maths for Kids.

This week we bring you another 2 Playful Maths Activities using LEGO (or Duplo) Blocks. 

We have used LEGO DUPLO blocks here as with a toddler in the house, this is the current block stage we're up to. When he's a bit older we will start providing the smaller LEGO blocks as well. You can just use what you have available.

This week we are focusing on learning patterns.

Other skills involved include fine motor, counting, colours, sizes etc.

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Lego Duplo is probably the #1 most used toy in our house at this stage, with an 11 month old and a 3.5 year old.

It's also such a fabulous learning tool. The other day I thought I'd make some fun number cards for the kids to play with.

We've really enjoyed playing with them and can see just how many uses they can have for early maths learning. Therefore, we just had to share them with you. :)

Free Printable Duplo Number Cards

Instructions For Printing: 

Click on each of the images below to take you to the document. (The Duplo Cards are saved as 3 different files in Google Docs. (1-4) (5-8) and (9,10,0) You'll need to open the 3 images to save all of them)

At the document, click File and then Download. Save the image to your computer and print copies as required.

For extra durability and usage, laminate the cards. If you don't have a laminator you could always cover with contact paper.

Please Note: When you open them in Google Docs, the picture may seem small but the file size is actually quite large. Once you have downloaded the documents to your computer, you will be able to print them full size. If all else fails, drop me an email and I'll send you a copy :)

Click to Download numbers 1-4

Click to Download numbers 5-8

Click to Download numbers 9,10,0

5 Fun Ways to use the Duplo Number Cards

1

Use them for Number Recognition, Reading Numbers and Counting.

Make a tower with corresponding number of blocks

For added colour recognition and cognitive processing, make the tower using the same colours as pictured

2

 Use them for Comparing Values

Which is the bigger/smaller number? Which is the tallest/shortest tower? Which has more/less blocks?

 3

Use the blank card to write numbers on

(If laminated, use a dry-erase/whiteboard marker)

Make numbers greater than 10

 4

Practice Addition and Subtraction

eg 10 blocks and 2 blocks make 12 blocks

5

Use the large number shapes to trace over and practice letter writing

Handy Tips:

- Simplify this activity by just playing with the cards and making the corresponding towers

-Extend this activity by playing more games with the cards, ie. Memory, Matching Pairs (need to print 2 sets for these type of games). Focus on reading and recognising the written number and on adding 2 or more number cards together

- Add a dice for extra number recognition and roll and find the matching card. Roll 2 dice, find both cards and make a tower. Play in pairs to see who makes the bigger tower etc.


- Listen to your child talk as they go through their experiences. This will help you determine where they are at with their learning, knowledge and understanding and help you to develop the activity (or future activities) to their level and interests. If they are breezing through single digits, start to focus more on double digits

More Fun Maths for Kids 

Learning Numbers. Pretend Shop

Shopping Trip Number Hunt

Catalogue Number Find

Recycling Sorting Activity

Popcorn Fun

Happy playing,
Debs :)

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Today we're delighted to have Kylie from Octavia and Vicky sharing a simple, fun activity for toddlers and preschoolers with a focus on numbers and counting. For older children you could extend to include learning about colours, patterns, addition, making to 10 and so on. I hope you enjoy this activity and be sure to go and see the rest of the fun available on Octavia and Vicky. Debs :)

Hello! I'm Kylie, a mother to two year old 'Pebble', wife and early childhood educator who loves playing, cooking and using as many geek-tech tools as possible along the way. My blog, Octavia and Vicky, is named after a story I wrote when I was five years old. It is about a spider named Octavia and her young friend, Vicky. Thank you to Debs for inviting me to share an activity on her wonderful blog today. I have chosen to share a game inspired by the talented Nicole and her Planning with Kids blog. She really is a clever mum, make sure you go and check out her ideas too.

Duplo Game for Toddlers

You will need:

- duplo blocks (use as many or as few as you like – we used 25)
- home made dice with dots representing numbers 1 – 3 To make a home made dice you can either wrap a cube shaped box in paper or print and make a cube using a cube net printable, like we did. Then use dot stickers to represent the numbers, or simply draw dots onto your dice.

How to Play:

- scatter the blocks on the floor - take turns to roll the dice, count the number of dots rolled, then collect the same number of blocks to create a tower. Each player adds to the tower with each turn. - whoever has the tallest tower when all the blocks have been used is the winner.
 

Learning!

During this game toddlers are learning how to - take turns - count up to three - compare size.

Go with the flow….

Pebble and I had great fun playing one round of this game really successfully. On the second round she became very preoccupied with using up only one colour of blocks. She had to have the red blocks, and no one else was allowed the red blocks! Then when all the red blocks were gone she announced that she was finished, and that she wanted to put a flower on top. Of course! Toddlers have limited attention spans, so don’t expect their attention to be focussed on this one game for too long. Give it a go, and if it works, great! If your toddler would rather sort the colours, make a garden or build a house, then join in and have fun. Toddlers learn best when they are directing their own play, so my advice is to go with the flow.

Want more fun from Octavia and Vicky? Why not try these fun, easy and popular ideas: 

  16 ideas for playing with magnetic animals 

  Threading for toddlers 

  Masking tape city 

  Patty Pan Puppets

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