If you have read this blog for a while, you can guess that I have a thing for felt 
This is something that I designed, and was hand-made by my ex-helper (QC done by me), which will be up for sale. All proceeds of the sale of this item will go into the #InHisLoveFund, details of this initiative is shared in this post.
The Felt Book for Math (9 sets available)
Front Cover; 
It comes with both the detachable birdie purse and the goldfish purse.
The purse has press buttons, and velcro at the back.
This Felt Book for Math has a total of 72 handmade pieces of felt numbers, felt sweets, felt flowers and leaves, all sewn with a velcro at the back of each piece.
So how do you use this 72 pieces with the Felt Book?
Page 2 and 3 of The Felt Book for Math;
1) The Pattern Game
Patterning is a basic and foundational math skill which many mathematical concepts are based. Addition, skip counting, times tables all require an understanding and proficiency in patterning.
Here is an ABAB pattern that you child can learn.
How to teach;
Demonstrate First – “We are going to play a pattern game today! Watch this. Blue sweet, pink sweet, then blue sweet, and pink sweet. Do you know what comes next? Blue sweet and pink sweet!”
Repeat the pattern verbally, and point out the pattern to the child – “Blue sweet, pink sweet, blue sweet, pink sweet, blue sweet, pink sweet”
Here’s another variation of pattern;
ABC, ABC, ABC; Yellow Sweet, Blue Sweet, Pink Sweet, Yellow Sweet, Blue Sweet, Pink Sweet, Yellow Sweet, Blue Sweet, Pink Sweet.
As there are 15 sweets in the set, with 3 of each color, yellow, red, pink, blue, green, there are different variations of patterns that you can teach your child.
2) The Number Operations Game
Rearranging the numbers to show 1-15 in a row, going through the numbers with the child. Then start taking away some of the numbers, place them in a pile on the side, and then get your child to pick the right numbers to put them in the blank spaces.
3) Number Bonding and Addition and Subtraction Game
Start with using the words ‘add on’ and ‘take away’ before introducing the mathematical symbols of ‘+’, ‘-‘ and ‘=’.
Use the sweets, flowers and leaves to help your child to think creatively about numbers. Show the child a group of the felt pieces and ask him/her “How many ways can we make 6?’ and, come up with a combination of different things to come up with 2 and 4, 3 and 3, 1 and 5 and 6 and 0. You can use the felt pieces to teach number bonding.
Once the child can think conceptually the concepts of addition and taking away, that’s when the mathematical symbols of addition and subtraction can be taught, while at the same time using the felt pieces to allow the child to count something physically.
Page 4 and 5 of The Felt Book;
4) Counting Activity and Number Correspondence
Place a number next to the flower or the leaf, and have the child place the number of flowers and leaves on the plant according.
5) Spatial Concepts
You can teach spatial concepts like Right, Left, top, bottom, in between.
Demonstrate first – “Shall we put one pink flower on the left branch, and another pink flower on the right branch? Then let’s put a white flower below the pink flower. How about another pink flower below the white flower? Shall we put a leaf between the top and bottom pink flowers?”
Once the child has a concept of what is Right, Left, top, bottom, in between. You can start a new game by giving directions to your child.
Page 6 and 7 of The Felt Book;
6) Pretend Play and Picture Stories
Your child can use the Goldfish and Birdie purse, use the numbers as coins to do pretend play to buy sweets, flowers, plants.
Or he/she can create picture stories on the felt book with the various pieces that are detachable and arranged as he/she likes it.
Each set of The Felt Book for Math comes with 72 detachable pieces; 19 green numbers, 19 blue numbers, including the +, – and = signs. 15 sweets in yellow, red, blue, pink and green, 8 leaves, 9 flowers and with both the goldfish and birdie purses.
The Felt Book for Math costs $39.00, including registered mail. All proceeds of this handmade item will go into the #InHisLoveFund.
Drop me a mail at inhislovemail@gmail.com to purchase The Felt Book for Math.
Update 6 January 3.15pm – All 9 sets of The Felt Book have been reserved.
Do drop me a mail to leave me your name and email contact if you are interested to purchase this, and I will keep you updated if anyone gives up their reservation for the item – Thanks!
Mini Hama Beads (left) and Midi Hama Beads (right)
