Mushroom Counting

Jellybean has been working very hard to learn her numbers.  She is able to point to her fingers and toes and count to ten, so I wanted to start doing some number recognition with her, and was really excited when, while checking out some other awesome blogs, I discovered this fun craft!  Now, I can't remember where I found this particular one, but I've seen it done as ladybugs and worms and apple trees.  You can really let your imagination go!

Supplies Needed

2-3 different colored papers

Scissors
Glue Stick

1 Sheet White Paper

Colored Dots

1.  Determine how many mushrooms you want to make.  We chose to make 10.  

2.  Cut out the mushroom "stems" out of white paper, one piece for each mushroom.  

3.  Write the numbers 1-10 on the bottom of each white paper.

4.  Cut out the corresponding number of mushroom "tops" out of your colored paper.  I made a small one for 1 and 2, medium sized ones for 3-6 and large ones for 7-10.
5.  Cut out your colored dots.  I used a piece of scrapbook paper that had a circular design.  This was very time-consuming, so when we do this again, I will either buy the large dot stickers from Staples, use different stickers that we have on hand at home, or have her draw them on herself.
6.  Start assembling!  If your Little One is able to use a glue stick, he/she can glue the stems to the mushroom tops.  If not, give them a hand.  This was Jellybean's first time using a glue stick by herself!

 

7.  Start gluing on those dots!  I started by pointing out the number at the bottom and telling her what it was, and then I handed her  pile of dots that she got to count out for each mushroom.  Then we counted together when they were all glued on.  She also liked lining them up in order according to number, and we also lined them up smallest to biggest.

This craft is not only good for number recognition, it's also for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.  I found that Jellybean got a little bit bored part way through, so I think that next time instead of doing 1-10 all at once, we'll maybe do 5, take a break and do something else, then do the last 5.

Have fun!