around the house manipulatives!

We love manipulatives! Anything we can see, feel, hear, smell, taste, etc. makes learning fun and exciting! It's great to go into a learning store or shop online for teaching manipulatives. Everything you could ever need, and never knew you needed, at your fingertips! But, that takes money. As I may have mentioned before, it doesn't exactly grow on trees 'round here! In my last post "utilizing bargain resources," I advised research and shopping around. In this context, I still recommend it. Get to know what is out there, what it's for and how to use it....and then, look around your house for items that can be used for the same purpose! Check your games closet. Games have so many useful pieces...hello scrabble tiles! Dig way back, search through old games...(no electronics involved,) dice, timers, the possibilities are endless! The kitchen: (let me start by saying certain things in MY kitchen, stay in MY kitchen, this is where a trip to the dollar store comes in handy!) Measuring cups, tongs, bowls, strainers (I wash strainers from frozen steamer meals!) Straws, cereal, muffin tins and baking cups, so on (all good for counting, sorting, fine motor skills,etc.) Let's not forget the messy stuff! Flour, water, baking soda, food coloring, soap, corn starch/meal...Moving into the bathroom: cotton balls, q-tips, hair gel, shaving cream... Most people have a smattering of various art supplies, and office supplies, (too many uses to list!) Inspiration can strike, in the strangest places! Look around and get creative! Tiffany (taffygrinch)