Grab a Handful!

Materials

4' x 6' craft paper or oilcloth marker individual plastic containers various items such as cotton balls, rocks, plastic eggs, blocks, buttons, crayons, and shells

Instructions

1. Create a Graph Map by drawing columns on a 4' x 6' piece of craft paper or oilcloth. Place the mat on the floor.

2. Fill each container with different items. Start with large items, changing to smaller items as the children become more proficient in counting.

3. Let each child take a turn grabbing one handful of materials.

4. The child then lines up the objects on the graph map while everyone in the small group counts.

5. Children may count the same object to see who can grab the most, or various objects may be compared.Tip: Children enjoy this group activity longer if new items with different textures are introduced often.