 This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I've been on a mission to find creative ways for my toddler to complete math worksheets. While he’s a whiz with numbers, he’s just not quite ready to tackle handwriting practice yet. He’s actually really good at solving problems quickly in his head using mental math. It's super impressive and I'm so proud it's inexplicable, but I sometimes want to slow him down a bit so he can fully grasp the concept of counting fingers and objects when adding and subtracting. Making Math Fun and Engaging To make this process more enjoyable and less about handwriting, I give him activities that require him to circle the correct answer or fill in a bubble below the sum or difference. We've also been using number stickers that he can peel and stick onto worksheets. That has been a HUGE hit! Recently, we tried something new—drawing lines between the problems and their corresponding answers. This adds a different level of interaction to the mix and continues to give him a little more practice holding and using writing utensils.
Bringing in His Favorite Characters Knowing how much he LOVES Numberblocks and Numberblobs, I've been incorporating these action figures into our math time for quite a while now. Using these characters as his manipulatives helps him physically count and visualize each addition problem. He's also far more engaged when these toys are part of the learning process. Counting Together When we’re working through the problems, I have him count on his fingers—sometimes even using mine depending on the equation. This hands-on approach helps him slow down and really understand and think about the addition process. It’s not just about getting the right answer; it’s about reinforcing the basics of counting and making sure those concepts stick.  Checking His Work After solving each problem, he loves to grab his calculator to check his work. "Let's check!" he always says enthusiastically. This not only gives him a sense of accomplishment but also reinforces the idea that math is fun and interactive in many ways. It’s not just about numbers on a page; it’s about finding joy in the process of learning. Using Dry Erase Pockets/Slip Covers As you can see from the photos, we used dry erase pockets/slip covers for this activity. They are a game-changer for so many reasons, and I can’t recommend them enough. They make it easy to reuse worksheets, which is great for repetitive practice, and they save ink and paper, which is always a plus. If you’re curious to know more about why I’m such a fan of these dry erase pockets, be sure to check out my homeschool hack blog post. I’ve detailed all the reasons they’ve become a staple in our learning routine. And if you’re ready to try these activities with your little one, click the link above to print your free copies today! 
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