- 10 - 20 mins
- Fine motor, number recognition, equations, sensory
- Minimal mess
- Easy
This sensory number dig is a great play based experience that not only fosters sensory awareness but will encourage number recognition and/or basic maths equations depending on your child’s age, stage and ability.
Super simple, easy to set up, minimal mess and full of numeracy learning. The aim is to did through the rice, find a mathematical equation and then solve it by finding the answer on the sheet next to the container. Whilst we focussed on mathematical equations, this activity is completely adaptable; make the experience as basic or as challenging as you want! Change the objects hidden in the rice to make them interest based or an area you might like to focus on with your child. The possibilities are endless.
What you will need
- Sensory rice
- Container or tray
- Paper
- Markers
Activity steps
Setup
- Fill your container with sensory rice.
- Use your scissors to cut smaller pieces of paper that will become your equation cards.
- Use your markers to write various equations on each piece of paper. but leave off the answer. If your child is not at the stage, try just using numbers and encourage number recognition and matching.
- On an A4 piece of paper randomly write all the answers to each equations.
- Put all the equation cards in your sensory rice and hide them.
- You are ready to play!
How to play
- Set your sensory rice up with answer sheet next to it.
- Encourage your child to feel through the rice to find an equation card.
- Ask them to read out and solve the equation.
- Once solved place the equation card on the A4 answer page.
- Continue the above steps until all equations have been solved.
Extension ideas
This is a totally adaptable play experience. Make sure to tailor it to your child’s age, stage and ability.
- Start with number matching. Can your child identify numbers and match them to the same number on an answer sheet.
- Try above with basic equations.
- Further the mathematical concepts by trying subtraction equations, multiplication, time or fractions. The learning opportunities will grow with your child!
- Try a variety box! Add a range of equations (+,-, x) and challenge your childs math skills.
Learning Opportunities
- Fine motor- Your children will use their fine motor development to dig and hunt through the rice.
- Sensory awareness- Your child will engage their senses to feel around and look for the equation cards. Sensory play encourages learning through exploration, curiosity, problem-solving and creativity. It helps to build nerve connections in the brain and encourages language and motor skills.
- Mathematical concepts- Your child will be encouraged to engage in a range of mathematical concepts at their level. They will be encouraged to engage with and practice number recognition, basic math equations or equivalent.
Reference sites
We would like to acknowledge these amazing sites that have inspired us to create this activity. Thank you!