Wooden Melissa and Doug Abacus with Pattern Cards

Wooden Melissa and Doug Abacus with Pattern CardsThis busy bag is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, those with special needs and occupational therapists! It is a Montessori and math inspired busy bag that uses a classic wooden abacus toy that is a favorite among children. I created pattern cards to go with the colorful toy so children can count and recreate the pattern using the 11. 9" x 12" x 3" wooden abacus. How to Play: Draw a card and recreate the pattern using the 11. 9" x 12" x 3" wooden

This busy bag is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, those with special needs and occupational therapists! It is a Montessori and math inspired busy bag that uses a classic wooden abacus toy that is a favorite among children. I created pattern cards to go with the colorful toy so children can count and recreate the pattern using the 11.9" x 12" x 3" wooden abacus.

How to Play:
Draw a card and recreate the pattern using the 11.9" x 12" x 3" wooden abacus.

What is included:
1. A 11.9" x 12" x 3" wooden abacus.
2. 6 double-sided pattern cards (12 patterns total). Cards measure 3.5"x3.25" and are professionally printed on 100# card stock and laminated with 5mil lamination. These cards are thick and classroom tough, no other cards can compare!


What they are learning WHILE having fun:
- Hand/Eye coordination - Being able to manipulate the wooden beads and move them to the correct spot spatially on the abacus.
- Color recognition – Kids need to recognize the differences in the colors in order to follow the pattern cards
- Concentration. This activity has 100 wooden beads to count and organize by the pattern so it offers a great opportunity to sit and focus on a task before it is completed.
- Counting - Children need to count the beads on the left, center and right of the abacus to create the patterns correctly.


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Curious Minds Busy Bags is dedicated to developing original kid-friendly learning activities for children to explore while building essential skills needed for school success. Parents, early childhood teachers and occupational therapists trust my learning activities in their home, school or home school classrooms. They are classroom-quality educational toys that promote independent play that builds essential skills. My activities are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers and beneficial for individual who have special needs that need to be developed such as those with autism, sensory processing or dementia. My learning games and sensory toys have been enjoyed by children in daycares, Montessori schools, and early intervention classrooms!

This busy bag is an original activity created by me. I kindly ask that you respect my creative design and refrain from copying my activities and posting them in your shop. Bloggers, you are welcome to write about or recreate my activities for personal use, but please link back to me. Thanks!

These bags contain small parts that may not be appropriate for children under the age of 3. Adult supervision is required.

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HOW AND WHEN DO YOU USE BUSY BAGS?
-- My personal favorite way to use busy bags is to have a quick “in case of an emergency” distraction for mischievous toddlers. Any time my twin boys are getting a little reckless and needing a change of pace I pull out an activity for an immediate distraction from the behavior. Playing and learning with an activity is a lot more fun for both parents and children than being frustrated and disciplined. Let them focus on play instead of bad behavior and you can sit down and relax and watch their little minds at work!
-- Parents, do you need a little time to make a phone call without a toddler hanging on you? Do you need to cook dinner…..or feed the new baby? My learning activities keep children actively engaged in a healthy activity while you cook or do other tasks. My boys love to “play something at the table” while we cook. We get out their trays and an activity and they are happy!
-- Do you have a longer than expected wait while waiting at a restaurant or doctor’s office? Busy bags are portable and make a great quiet activity for when your toddlers are having a difficult time sitting still and being quiet. Parents often find these games perfect for quiet activities at church or out and about.
-- Do you need a quiet activity to engage your older child while your baby naps? Or perhaps you need a quiet activity for quiet time when your preschooler gives up naps? Parents also use busy bags to give to younger children while the parent is giving a lesson to the older home schooled child. -- Teachers use these activities in learning centers or for children who finish their work early and need a quiet activity.
-- Did your child’s early intervention teacher or occupational therapist recommend you work on certain skills with your child? My learning games are perfect therapy toys.
-- Are you unexpectedly stuck inside due to a snow day or rainy weather?
-- Are you traveling or vacationing? Many busy bags are perfect for on the go fun and travel to keep kids entertained in the car or airplane.

Busy bags make great birthday presents for your child or their friends. They are perfect for big brother or sister gifts or for those who are having a new baby with a toddler in the house.