Early Years Pancake Day Activity: Pancake Orders Counting Communication & Language Game
Get ready to take delicious orders and serve up a stack of learning with our Pancake Orders Counting & C&L Activity/Game! This engaging printable is perfect for EYFS children, offering a delightful, interactive way to practise number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and crucial communication and language skills.
Ideal for Preschool, Nursery, School, or for Parents and Childminders celebrating Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) or exploring a food/restaurant theme, this game transforms learning into a fun, real-world scenario.
This interactive game includes:
Picture Cards: Feature clear images of different numbers of pancake toppings (e.g., 4 strawberries, 8 blueberries, etc.). These provide the visual 'orders'.
Speech Bubble Cards: Each card has a speech bubble in the middle with decorative pancake images. The speech bubble states an order (e.g., "Four strawberries please."), with a corresponding numeral in the corner (e.g., '4') and the topping word coloured to match the picture card (e.g., 'strawberries' in red). This ingenious design helps children 'decode' the order even if they are not yet fully reading.
How to Play:
Preparation: Print and cut out all the picture cards and speech bubble cards. Spread the picture cards out on a table or on the floor in front of the child/children, like a menu. Pile up the speech bubble cards ready for a child to pick one.
Order Up! A child picks a speech bubble card.
Reading the Order: The speech bubble card can be read aloud by an adult, or the child can be encouraged to use the numeral (e.g., '4') and the colour clue (e.g., red 'strawberries') to 'read' the order for themselves.
Fulfilling the Order: The child then "fulfils the request" by finding the correct picture card that matches the order (e.g., the pancake with four strawberries).
(Note: Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity suggested on this page and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)
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Our Pancake Orders game is incredibly versatile and can be used in a multitude of ways across various early years environments:
Preschool, Nursery & Childminder Settings:
Small Group Game: Perfect for a small group where children take turns picking orders and finding the correct pancake.
Role-Play Area: Integrate into a 'Pancake Cafe' or 'Restaurant' role-play area. Children can be the 'waiters' taking orders or the 'chefs' fulfilling them.
Language Focus: Emphasise the polite language "please" and "thank you" during the game.
Reception Class (EYFS):
Maths Station: Set up as an independent or small group maths station focusing on accurate counting and number recognition.
Communication & Language Focus: Encourage children to verbalise the order they have picked and describe the toppings on the picture card they find. This supports their speaking and listening skills.
Differentiation: For children developing number recognition, start with lower numbers (1-5). For more confident children, use all the cards and focus on speed or less adult prompting.
Vocabulary Building: Introduce new vocabulary related to food and counting.
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This engaging activity supports key developmental areas within the EYFS framework:
Communication and Language (Listening, Attention & Understanding; Speaking):
Children listen attentively to the orders.
They understand and follow simple instructions and requests.
They develop confidence in expressing themselves as they "read" and fulfil orders.
They use new vocabulary related to numbers and food.
Mathematics (Number):
Counting Objects: Children count the items on the picture cards to ensure they find the correct "order."
Number Recognition: They recognise numerals in the corner of the speech bubble cards and link them to quantities.
One-to-One Correspondence: They develop accurate one-to-one correspondence when counting the toppings.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Taking turns, sharing, and collaborating in a game context fosters social skills and self-esteem.
Literacy (Reading - indirectly): Children use visual clues (numerals, coloured words) to begin to understand and interpret written information, supporting emergent reading skills.
Download our Pancake Orders: Counting & C&L Activity/Game today and make learning fun and interactive for your little learners!
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