Sock games
A household chore like folding washing can be a fun game that strengthens relationships. Science and maths concepts (colour recognition, matching, force, gravity) are supported as your toddler practices coordination and balance (throwing, catching).
Why do it?
- Sock games make for a fun, simple, everyday learning activity when sorting and folding the washing.
- They provide an opportunity for a matching activity (find the sock pair or are their two red socks?).
- Socks are soft and light, and are good for practising throwing and catching which also involves practice at taking turns.
- ‘Sock balls’ can also be aimed and thrown into the laundry basket, which helps gross (big muscle) motor skills.
How to do it
- See if a toddler can help find the matching sock. — ask, ‘Where is Dad’s other sock?’
- Make the pair into a sock ball.
- See if your toddler is interested in catching, throwing or rolling the sock ball.
- Play with each other back and forth, or have a target to aim for, like the laundry basket.
- Repeat the game with other pairs of socks.
- Turn a sock into a hand puppet by adding eyes or nose with a pen or stickers.
Using more te reo Māori
| Te reo Māori | English |
|---|---|
| Tōkena | Sock |
| Paoro | Ball |
| Ōrite | Matching |
| Kei whea tērā atu tōkena o papa? | Where is Dad's other sock? |
| He rite tonu te tae ō ēnei tōkena | These socks are the same colour |
| Taurite | To be alike, matching |
| He rerekē ēnei tōkena | These socks are different |
| Mahia he paoro | Make a ball |
| Whiua te pōro | Throw the ball |
| Takahuri te pōro | Roll the ball |
| Whiua te pōro ki roto i te kete | Throw into the basket |
| Whiua te pōro ki a Pāpā | Throw the ball to Dad |
| Kete kākahu | Clothes basket |
| Homai te pōro e te tau | Give me the ball my darling |
| Anō | Do it again |
| Nōku te wā | My turn |
| Nōu te wā | Your turn |
| Kei hea te pōro? | Where is the ball? |
| Kei raro i te tepu | Under the table |
| Kei muri i te tūru | Behind the chair |
| Keretao tōkena | Sock puppet |
| Ngā karu | Eyes |
| He ihu | A nose |
| Kino kē koe e te tau! | You're awesome my darling! |
