Princess Petals finished her Kindergarten math program (to read my review of the math we use click here) and so we slide right on into 1st grade math.

She is a math girl. All throughout the day she counts and finds patterns and solves made-up math facts.

So I really try to think of fun ways to reinforce what we are learning in a manner that suits her learning style (tactile with very little instruction).

Our mornings begin with a problem for her to solve by herself. I set out the materials and she has to figure out what I want her to do with it. I try not to over complicate this, mainly because I aim to have a challenge daily. I simply build on concepts and skills introduced in our lessons.

The other morning I set out a stack of mixed up number cards and some linking blocks.

This is what her mind saw.

She matched the blocks with the numbers.

I always try to allow space for her mind to think and play and am always amazed with the outcome.

Princess Petals isn’t the only one I do this with. I also challenge Princess Bella, my soon to be 4th grader.

In the challenge below I assigned dollar amounts to shapes and then told her she had to come up with a figure worth $15.00 that I would want to buy.

Here is my menu.

This really challenged her–and she loved the struggled. I also like this challenge because I can constantly reuse it–all I do is change the total amount.

She came up with this little guy. Cute isn’t it!

The other thing I like about our morning math challenges is it provides me with some time to tend to other things.

A few extra mommy minutes = priceless!

Stay Encouraged & Be Blessed!