Math Skills as a Base for Bonding Activities

• The preschool curriculum consists of math activities that can be incorporated into activities for group bonding. Some of the concepts taught in preschool are as follows: counting and recognizing numbers; identifying and naming shapes, understanding spatial relations (in front of, behind, above, below, left-right); understanding patterns and predictions (shape, number and sound patterns and what comes next). Teaching these concepts in a way that enhances relations within the group serves to reinforce the skill, as well as create bonds between the teacher and students and bonds between the students in the group.
  
  

Number Recognition and Socialization

• For this activity you need stuffed animals and index cards. If you have 15 children in the class make two sets of index cards for 1 through 15. Distribute one stuffed animal and one index card to each child. Partner students with a classmate and instruct them to introduce their stuffed animals to their partners, including a name, likes and dislikes. Give an example to the students by introducing a stuffed animal to the group. Bring the students into a whole group. Hold up a number card; tell the students to hold up their card if it matches the number. Have students say the number aloud and share something about his or her stuffed animal.
  
  

Shapes and Positive Ways of Interacting

• Make three shapes on large paper: square, circle and triangle. Lay the paper on the floor within the students' view. Say the names of the shapes and have the students repeat the names aloud. Inform students that each shape will stand for a way of behaving. The square is for sharing; the circle is for helping others, and the triangle is for using kind words. Next, instruct students to identify what they want their stuffed animals to show most in their behaviors with others. Next, allow students to place their animals in the chosen shape. Discuss specific actions for each behavior. Finally, have an animal shape parade if time allows.
  
  

Sound Patterns and Interactions Within the Group

• Instruct students to create voices for their animals, who will speak the words, "Today is a great day." Allow each child to share his animal's voice with the group. Next, bring students to the front of the class in fours to share their voices in a pattern. Have students use the same sentence. Students present the voices to the class while the others listen. Next, have the listeners put their heads down and listen to the groups' voices again, in the same order, but with only three of the voices. Ask students to identify which animal voice was eliminated.