Counting coins the Fun way!
Seven ways to play one game! Typically, kids are introduced to the value of coins (not the value of money) and how to count them as early as Kindergarten. Several nights we have sat with worksheets and children at the table and tried to make it fun, but is a bit too abstract to be really fun!
Triple Play, Primary Math-Money was a great addition to what our kids were learning in the classroom. While I am not a fan of organized homework, especially for SPD kids, I am a fan of educational supplements. To be a fan, it has to be fun, simple, flexible and cheap! I found all that in one simple deck of cards.
The designer of these cards, Deandra Dean-Mcleod has done a great job with this valuable addition to learning and family time. All of us sit around on the living room floor all comfy and with freedom of movement to play. The best thing about this deck of cards is the versatility! What is more portable than a deck of cards and your imagination?
The instructions for the game only include 2 ways of play, we found more. First we started with using the cards for a memory game. The deck includes items ‘for sale’, these are cards with an object and a price on them. The other cards have coins and paper dollars on them that add up to the cost of the ‘for sale items’. I picked out the lower cost items and the matching coin cards and allow my younger Kindergartener to get familiar with those cards. At the same time I picked out the higher priced items (the highest being $1.90) and their matches and let my older 1st grader challenge himself with those in a game of memory.
Once both had mastered memory with all the cards, we moved on to a ‘go fish’ game. We say, “Go to the bank” when no matches are available. This is the fun time, bonding time, a to challenge the kids to count the coins, and show them a smile when they figure it out! We play in teams so we can help count coins. A great game for SPD or attention challenged kids. The games are short and if you have the motivation, play it several times. We’ve never had it not work out to be fair for everyone. It is great to take turns, work together and learn to have patience for each other.
Once you’ve mastered ‘Go to the bank’ you can add a spin on the game part. A variation that adds fun and teaches a more tactile feel for coins is to actually put coins in the mix. Starting with the lower priced cards and add a mix of a few coins to ‘buy’ items. Practice counting real coins, holding them and picking them up (great OT!). Getting used to the physical feel and sight of the coins allows for quicker counting ability.
Bring the game into playtime as well with a variation of actually playing store with the cards and real coins. This is good for a rainy day and when you have one child all to yourself. One person gets to be the store owner and set up cards in an area and the other person gets to be a customer. Let the child use their imagination on how to step up the store. By the parent being the customer first and pretend to buy things, lets kids do some role playing as an adult. It is fun to ask your child to help you count out the coins to be sure you have enough to pay for things. When you can get a little more advanced put getting change into play building those addition and subtraction facts in their heads!
For kids with SPD, and young kids who are mastering longer attention spans, it is great. The rules are flexible enough that parents can adjust the game to the kid or the situation. The game can build on skills the more it is played, and always helps with confidence. It is not only a game, a learning tool, but also a toy when playing store. When this deck of cards out, it is family time to the max, always laughter, encouragement and fun. Who knew a deck of cards could do so much! I love the price too, approximately $4, 3 quarters and 2 dimes- give or take some coins!
Triple play has a whole line of fun games for kids, check out their other games here as http://www.ggapublishing.com/tripleplay.html
