LEARNING LINKS: A MANIPULATIVE WITH ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

If you have an infant, you have probably used similar links to hang their toys off of a stroller, for example. BUT, they can also be used for preschoolers. These 3-year-olds sorted these links by color and shape, made patterns with them, and used a large “pocket cube” to work on their turn-taking skills while playing a game whose goal was to have them complete a pattern (math). There’s a ton of learning packed into such a simple learning link manipulative.

Now, keep in mind that some of these activities can be accomplished without having to purchase a single thing. If you have construction paper, scissors ✂️ , tape and/or glue laying around your home, you can make your own links for sorting and patterns (thank you, @donnavroberts for the reminder). There is ALWAYS a way, and it doesn’t always have to cost you money 💰. Because if you don’t have to spend it, why not save it for something that would be far more difficult to recreate. 🤷🏻‍♀️