Each day will have untapped opportunities for learning activities. From first thing in the morning until bedtime here are some ways to build and reinforce your child’s understanding of the number 2 (and promote readiness for kindergarten later on). Some will be more appropriate for younger toddlers and some more appealing to older kids.
Getting dressed, you can ask your child to find some pants with 2 legs and a shirt with 2 arms. What would happen if we had 4 arms? Count feet-how many socks and shoes? For older kids, have them add your feet as well, now how many feet? That’s called counting by two. Hop on 2 feet, share 2 hugs, use 2 hands at the table. If you are on your way out listen with 2 ears and watch with 2 eyes. In the car, sing 2 songs. Older kids can count all the twos! There are stories about 2: 1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss, or read 2 books 2gether.
Your child might like to choose 2 cars to play with, or make a duplo robot that has 2 heads, or play with 2 stuffies. Might you have 2 colors of playdough at home? If you are lucky enough to have a minute or two when you are sitting, you and your child can play some games that use 2 hands. For little ones, place your hand on the bottom, your child places a hand on top of yours; then your other hand and finally your child’s. Slide your hand out from the bottom and put it on top again, then your child takes a turn. For older ones, try some clapping games; first each person claps hands, then high fives together, then each person claps once and together again. Make up some of your own clapping games. 2 hands can have lots of fun on a drum–or maybe not. Wash 2 hands for supper.
Your child will find other things that are 2 that appeal to him or her. While simple, these activities all work together to build important brain connections for understanding numbers. This helps with kindergarten readiness but more importantly develops number sense. What else can you suggest for kids to do for exploring twoness?