Resources on Early Learning

Tip Sheets

It's happening again! You're running errands with your children and suddenly you're stuck-in traffic, at the clinic, in the checkout line. Homemade learning activity kits can engage a child who hates to wait.

All of these kits slip easily into a purse, glove compartment, backpack, or diaper bag. The kits are for ages 3 and up. Cost depends on what parents include. Every kit needs:

• a zipper pouch or resealable plastic bag big enough to hold everything
• smaller bags to organize the parts of the kit
• pencils or pens
• a memo tablet for notes, counting, games, lists, drawings (NOTE: To make your own tablets: Cut pieces of blank scrap paper the same size. Staple them together across the top. Add a piece of stiff cardboard to the kit to support the tablet while in use.)

A math kit lets your child play with numbers and problem solving. You might include:

• a lightweight tape measure
• an assortment of items to count and sort—coins, beans, buttons, coupons, checkers, game pieces, playing cards, dice, dreidels, etc.
• a list of favorite fingerplays and action rhymes that involve numbers
• puzzles made from cut-up postcards or magazine photos glued to thin cardboard

An art and literacy kit encourages creative expression. A child can practice making letters, write and illustrate a book, cut out paper dolls, or play games like Tic-Tac-Toe. You might include:

• gel pens, washable fine-point markers, or crayons
• transparent tape
• stickers, stencils, or stamps
• colorful paper (such as bright magazine pages) for folding or cutting
• scissors—safe but not frustrating to use

A science kit encourages children to look at the wider world. You might include:

• a small, inexpensive magnifier
• magnets
• pipe cleaners
• sandwich bags for collecting specimens
• an assortment of items to study—keys, pebbles, seeds, etc. (NOTE: You can change the assortment from time to time.)

A music and sound kit helps you and your child investigate sound. You might include:

• small plastic containers with seeds or buttons inside for shaking
• a variety of rubber bands
• small scarves or 24-inch ribbons to wave
• a paper towel roll (for a mini-drum or a "voice changer")
• a list of favorite songs and poems

Find hints on making inexpensive activity kits for your child at these Web sites:

• Family Adventures with Mathematics and Science (FAMES)
  http://www.odl.state.ok.us/fames/kits.htm
• Waiting Room Activities for Young Tykes
  http://www.parentingpress.com/t_070210.html

The opinions, resources, and referrals provided in this Tip Sheet are intended for information purposes only and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We advise parents to seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding their child’s health or medical conditions.

Spanish: Cosas que hacer mientras se está esperando: Paquetes de actividades educativas

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