When I started gathering toys for Counting Cubs, the numeracy-based playgroup I'm now running at the Plunket Community Hub in South Dunedin, my first stop was my attic. We have had this exact Stomp Rocket Launcher up there since my kids were little, but unfortunately it was missing a key part. No worries, I found the exact same toy at Farmers, so now I have parts for several more decades.
This toy, along with the song Zoom Zoom Zoom is hands down the kids favourite activity, with the brave ones trying their best to stomp hard enough to launch the rocket, and those slightly shyer happy to put the rocket back on the launcher each time.
But the best news? After only a term of Counting Cubs one excited mum shared that her 22-month-old can now count backwards from 8 and she caught it on video. Her final comment? It's working. By sharing just two hours together each Wednesday morning in a warm and friendly environment, singing songs and playing with a range of numeracy-based activities (but no formal instruction) the children are picking up that Maths is fun. Full stop. Magic!