Practice Counting and Sorting Games
Your child will need a basic understanding of counting and sorting to understand how voting works. Start by having your child match concrete objects first, like buttons or blocks of the same color. When that has been mastered, you can move on to sorting shapes then to matching puzzle pieces. Explain how, during an election, everyone gets one vote, and those votes are all sorted and counted at the end to determine the winner. Then try these activities:
Sort the silverware: I love this idea because it addresses family contributions as well as teaching sorting skills. Have your child sort the silverware into the correct spaces in your drawer.
Putting away toys: This is another helpful activity that will teach your child appropriate clean-up habits while strengthening sorting skills.
Pony bead sort: For a bit more fun, try laying out a pile of pony beads and a muffin tin. Ask your child to sort all the beads by color.
Button counting: On a sheet of paper, draw 10 squares and number them 1 through 10. Ask your child to place the correct amount of buttons into each square, one button on the number one block, two buttons in the number two block, and so on.
Online games: If your child enjoys working on the computer, you can visit education.com or ABCya.com for free online preschool sorting and counting games!
Books About Voting
Reading picture books is a great way to introduce voting and elections to your child and strengthen their love of reading. Here are five picture books to check out.
Happy voting!
