Some new links:

Visit http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/ for an enormous amount of different games to play, including math games, word fun, arcade classics, and pre-school activities.

Visit http://www.sabine.k12.la.us/zes/kindergarden%20math%20games/default.htm for a variety of kindergarten math games addressing many different skills.

Visit http://franklincountyschools.k12tn.net/CMKwebsites.html for a plethora of kindergarten websites addressing a variety of skills, including:  sorting, number recognition, counting, rhyming, and more!

Visit http://www.mathsisfun.com/worksheets/kindergarten.php for some kindergarten math worksheets if you looking for some extra reinforcement materials.

Visit http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/matching/matching_addition.htm for a challenging addition matching game.  How well do you know your numbers?

Visit http://www.prongo.com/match/ to play a fun memory matching game.  You can pick a theme and use your thinking skills to win!

Below is a list of some activities you can do at home to improve your child’s small motor skills:

Fine motor skills require movement of small muscles, usually in co-ordination with the eyes, but also include movements of the tongue and lips, wriggling of the toes and foot-eye co-ordination.

1. Manipulation activities:

1.1 Manipulating playdough: rolling it into small balls, long rolls etc.

1.2 Tearing paper into fine strips – use them for collage or crumple them into balls.

1.3 Screwing up whole pieces of newspaper in one hand at a time to develop strength.

1.4 Threading beads or macaroni onto string.

1.5 Lacing activities.

1.6 Cutting out with scissors, using the correct grip. (Ex. Cut coupons)

1.7 Manipulating clothes pegs to pick up small objects.

1.8 Performing fingerplays.

2. Sensory activities

2.1 Finger painting or manipulating other liquids with the fingers and hands e.g. slushy mud, tomato sauce (ketchup) on a plate

2.2 Picking up small objects with the fingers, like pegboard pegs, rice grains etc.

3. Activities to develop stability

3.1 Wheelbarrow walking, crab walking, hanging on playground apparatus to develop strength of the upper body.

3.2 Working on a vertical surface such as a blackboard or easel which requires the wrist to be bent back is good for developing fine motor skills.

An upright surface encourages a stable wrist position to develop good thumb movements, strengthen fine motor muscles and encourages the use of both the arm and shoulder muscles.

If you don’t have a blackboard or easel, tape some newsprint to the wall and have your child draw and scribble on that.

Let her draw large circles, using each hand respectively. Let her draw lines right across the sheet from top to bottom, diagonally and horizontally in both directions, using each hand respectively.

Math Resources

There are so many great Math resources on the Web!

Visit http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/ if you want to explore the Everyday Mathematics program at a more in-depth level.  This website coordinates with our math program at St. Matthew’s.  You can find grade specific information pertaining to Kindergarten, as well as, a Frequently Asked Questions section that provides some great insight.

Visit http://www.teachers.cr.k12.de.us/~galgano/klinksmath.htm for different math games and review at the Kindergarten level.

Visit http://www.kidport.com/Gradek/math/mathIndex.htm for some more fun Kindergarten math games.

Visit http://classroom.jc-schools.net/basic/math.html if you want to explore loads of different math topics in fun ways!

Visit http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/mathquiz/mathionaire.htm to play a math game based on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire!

Visit http://www.schooltimegames.com/Mathematics.html for a wide variety of math games, ranging from tangrams to math facts to logic!

Visit http://www.mathplayground.com/games.html if you want to play some awesome games that review all sorts of math concepts. This place is loads of fun! The Pumpkin Multiples, Math Millionaire, and Balloon Invaders are just a few of the great games to explore!

Visit http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/Mathmagician/cathymath.html if you want to be a Math Magician and review math facts!

Visit http://mathforum.org/students/elem/probs.html if you enjoy solving math problems and puzzles. Work those brain cells!

Visit http://www.mathfactcafe.com/ to make various math worksheets based on grade level and skill. You can also print out flashcards and play a few games here.

Visit http://www.coolmath-games.com/ to play some fun math games and solve some tricky math puzzles for all ages.