If your child is in P2 they’ll receive a free Read Write Count activity bag during the autumn term. The bag is full of fun things for you to do together. It’s an engaging way for you to help turn their homework into games you can both play during the day.
What’s in the bag?
- Shape Shuffle card game with Talk it Out and Act it Out cards on the reverse
- A tangram
- A writing pencil
Two books:
- The Perfect Fit by Naomi Jones and James Jones
- Out of Nowhere by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
The Perfect Fit by Naomi Jones and James Jones
Triangle doesn’t roll like circles, or stack like the squares. So she sets off to find some friends who are exactly like her…
You can watch a video of The Perfect Fit being read aloud here.
The Perfect Fit cover
Game #1: Build a tower
Game #1: Build a tower
The squares in the book love building towers. Try making a tower with your child using different shapes, like building blocks, cardboard boxes, cushions or tins from the kitchen cupboard. Which shapes are the easiest to stack?
Game #2: Shape hunters
Game #2: Shape hunters
Look around your home and see how many different shapes you and your child can find. Why not set a timer on your phone and see who can find the most shapes in one minute? You could also try this when you’re out for a walk or on the bus.
Game #3: A good fit
Game #3: A good fit
The shapes in the book find many ways to fit together, even though they’re all different. Why not talk to your child about how they’re different from their friends, and how they fit together as well? Our page on talking to your child about neurodiversity has more tips on talking about difference.
Game #4: Spotting road signs
Game #4: Spotting road signs
Road and traffic signs come in different shapes – when you’re out for a walk, see how many signs your child can spot, and what shape they are. Sometimes a triangle can be a warning sign – can your child work out what they mean?
Out of Nowhere by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
A beetle makes a new friend – but what happens when she disappears?
You can watch a video of Out of Nowhere being read aloud here.
Out of Nowhere cover
Game #1: Picnic time
Game #1: Picnic time
In the book, the friends share a picnic together. What would your child pack if they were sharing a picnic with a friend? You could even try making some healthy snacks together – there are lots of recipes to try here.
Game #2: Close up patterns
Game #2: Close up patterns
The beetle sees the pattern of what they think is their friend – but it turns out to be something else. Ask your child to take a close up photos or a pattern or texture somewhere in your house and see if you can guess what it is. It might be harder than you think!
Game #3: Changes
Game #3: Changes
The friends go through different changes in the book. Why not have a look at some old photos with your child and see how you’ve both changed?
Game #4: What's in a name?
Game #4: What's in a name?
The beetle and their friend don’t have names in the book – what would your child name them and their friend? Together, can you tell the story from the friend’s point of view?
Tangram games
Game #1: How many sides?
Game #1: How many sides?
Tangram from the P2 activity bag
A tangram is a Chinese puzzle made up of seven polygons or ‘tans’, which can be put together to make different shapes. You could start by looking at the different shapes and seeing if your child can name them. They might know square and triangle, but what about the parallelogram?
Game #2: Make a picture
Game #2: Make a picture
Cat shape made using a tangram
How many different shapes can your child make with the tans? If they need some inspiration, you could have a look at this online tangram game together.
Game #3: Different colours
Game #3: Different colours
The tan pieces are all different colours – can your child name the colours, and think of something else that’s the same colour?
Shape Shuffle card game with Talk it Out and Act it Out cards on the reverse
Game #1: Get shuffling
Game #1: Get shuffling
Image of a pack of cards.
Shuffle and deal the cards. Put one card each at a time face up onto the pile in the middle. You can only use a card if the shape or number matches the card at the top of the pile. For example if the card has 5 squares you could play another 5 card or another square card next. If you can’t play, take a card from the pile. Whoever gets rid of all their cards first wins!
Game #2: Name the shapes
Game #2: Name the shapes
Some shapes are easier than others, but why not turn over the number card and see who can name the shape first?
Game #3: Snap!
Game #3: Snap!
Use the cards for a quick game of snap. Just try and match the cards with the same numbers.
