Ramadan Game: Dates Fall Down

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

This is a game that can be used to introduce subtraction to young toddlers during Ramadan insha'Allaah. The game is called "Dates Fall Down" and is simple to play alhamdulillaah. 

Give each child a palm tree math mat

 

and Date Game Pieces 

 

Put the numbers 1-5, into a box. Invite the child to close his/her eyes and take a number from the box. This first number they select will be the number of dates they put into the date palm tree. Ask the child how many dates are in the palm tree. You may also wish to encourage the child to count the dates as he/she puts them into the tree. 

Invite the child to again close his/her eyes and select another number from the box. This is the number that the child will take out of the tree (subtract). Tell the child, "At first there were _____ dates in the tree. You took ______ out/off of the tree. How many dates are left in the tree now?" Invite the child to count to see how many dates are left in the tree. 

Here, the first number selected was 5 and all date game pieces are in the tree

 

 

The second number selected was the number 1

So the child will remove one date from the tree and set it aside. The child is then invited to count the remaining dates in the tree insha'Allaah.

The games continues in this way until the child no longer wishes to play. You may also wish to use the following story to play the game insha'Allaah:

This date palm grows sweet dates,

Wonderful treats Abu Musa makes

From all of the dates that fall down,

Quietly and gently, without a sound.

(whisper here)

Abu Musa often looks just to see,

How many dates are in this tree

Let us count, you and me!

Download "Dates Fall Down" game here insha'Allaah (board with Arabic numbers)

Download "Dates Fall Down" game here insha'Allaah (board with English numbers)

Enjoy insha'Allaah!