Paper Balls on Big Dots

Step by step

1. 1Print a picture with big dots (a ladybug, an apple tree) and cut out small squares of colored paper.
2. 2Show them once: scrunch a paper square into a mini-ball between your thumb and pointer finger, then place it right onto a dot.
3. 3Let your child scrunch and place their balls, one per dot, at their own pace.
4. 4Keep the rule simple: 'one dot... one ball.' Point out any missed dots without filling them in yourself.
5. 5Pick an ending together: blow them all away to start over, or glue them down to display.
6. 6Level it up: use smaller, more numerous dots, or draw a trail of dots to follow in order.

What it builds

Rolling a mini-ball between thumb and pointer finger, then placing it right on target: little fingers build strength, and your child practices 'one-to-one matching'—the very first stepping stone to counting.