Your child learns to imitate patterns with this colorful activity using ping pong balls. Increase the difficulty level by letting him extend and create patterns. The materials needed for the activity are 12 ping pong balls, an egg carton, two colors of high-gloss enamel paint and a basket. Paint one side of six of the balls with the first color. Paint one side of the remaining six balls with the second color. Allow the balls to dry, painted side up in the egg carton. Place the 12 dried balls in the basket. Make a simple pattern in the egg carton with the balls, such as purple, white and pink. Ask your child to copy or extend the pattern. When your child demonstrates an understanding of patterns, let him create his own pattern.
Let your three-year-old sort shapes with a delicious cookie activity. Follow the directions on a roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough to roll out the dough. Help your child to cut out different shapes with cookie cutters. Bake the cookies according to the package directions and allow them to cool. Mix up the cookie shapes on a large piece of aluminum foil. Ask your child to group the cookies with the same shapes together. Talk to your child about the similarities and differences in the shapes.
Help your child practice counting skills anytime, anywhere. For example, count the rungs on the monkey bars at the park, count the bears on the drinking glass or count the buttons on a shirt. The options are limitless. Listen to counting songs and nursery rhymes. Make snack time a counting activity by having your child count how many cookies are on her plate.
Your 3-year-old loves his stuffed animal collection. Let him sort the animals by size, color or species. Ask him to count the animals in each group. Place a group of plates, bowls and cups on the table. Let your child sort and count the items. He can also practice sorting by helping you sort laundry into groups of T-shirts, jeans and socks.