After all that exercise with socks (see yesterday) we need a less strenuous activity. This one makes putting away the clean laundry lots more fun. With the family’s socks all washed, it’s time to match the pairs. Simply matching is a readiness for kindergarten activity. After all, kids need to match the name on their paper to the name on their cubby, etc. They need to match if 2 letters are the same or different. Matching is a needed skill.
But parents and caregivers can extend the activity by talking about the socks. Here are some sample comments: That blue sock goes with this blue sock–they are the same. Oh look; these 2 socks are the same color but 1 is big and 1 is little–they are different sizes. No, Red Sock; you do not match up with that green sock–come back over here and wait patiently until we find your match. These are a few ideas; kids will even come up with their own questions and comments. Ask what’s the same or different about 2 socks, too. Such discussion really enriches children’s control and use of language which is critical for later learning to read. Kindergarten readiness can be as simple as a sock and will sock away lots of important readiness for kindergarten skills for your child.
Lots of old socks are needed for this game along with 2 or more kids, or 1 child and 1 grown-up who needs some exercise. In a backyard or big space in a playroom, divide the area into 2 halves. Put half the socks all over in one end of the space, and half all over the other end. Now, comes the fun part. Each child throws the sock on his/her end into the other person’s territory. The goal is to get rid of all the socks, but as soon as some are thrown to the other side, more arrive. The game ends when somebody is too tired and calls Stop!