• Reading
  • Writing
  • Math
  • Science
  • Gardening
  • Recipes
  • Cultural

The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

By Amanda Boyarshinov 7 Comments

7 Ways to Use Russian Nesting Dolls to Teach

This month, we have traveled to Russia with our Cooking Around the World series.  As we are a Russian/ American household, I appreciate being able to have a variety of Russian Nesting Dolls in our house. Here are 7 Ways to Use Russian Nesting Dolls to Teach your kids.
Russian Nesting Dolls to Teach
These toys are also referred to as Matroshkas.  They come in all shapes, sizes, and numbers of pieces per set.  The most basic sets are 3-5 pieces with simple paintings.  Not only are they beautiful as decoration, but they are also a great tool for teaching educational concepts.  The ideas listed below are geared for toddlers to early grade school children.  You can take each idea and make it more challenging or provide more support (depending on what your child needs)  I have given you some examples on how to do this!  Because this toy is adaptable to teaching a variety of concepts, it is a great sibling learning activity.  All of these activities can also be done in the language of your choice – making it a great language learning experience too!

Russian Nesting Dolls to Teach Activities for kids

1. To start at the very basics, Matroshkas are great for teaching NUMBER CONCEPTS and COUNTING.  Don’t just have your children count each piece, give them the numbers too! You could mix a couple sets together to get into higher numbers for children who have already mastered numbers 1-5!  If you have a bunch of sets, like 3 sets of 5 piece Matroshkas, you could even use them for basic multiplication.  The possibilities are endless!
 2. They are also great for letting kids practice their FINE MOTOR SKILLS.  Opening and closing these little sets takes coordination and hand muscles.  Some sets are easier than others, but with practice, both my 2 and 5 year old are able to open and close them independently.
3.Then there is the classic, ORDERING or SEQUENCING by size.  Encourage your kids to put them in order from big to small AND small to big.  If my 5 year old puts them in order from big to small, I may say, “Can you put them in order from smallest to biggest?”  I could also say, “How fast can you assemble the Matroshkas and put them in order from smallest to biggest.”  This way, she is given a 2 step direction, can practice her fine motor skills and ordering by size, while getting a challenge by racing the clock!
 My 2 year old, on the other hand, needs more support with the ordering concept.  I have traced the bottoms of one Matroshka set onto a piece of paper to provide him with a matching activity that will put the Matroshkas in order.  I show him how to do it, do it with him, then let him do it on his own.  When he gets familiar, or comfortable with this task, I will remove the support and see if he can put them in order on his own.  *Remember each kid is different!
 4.  Oh, but you cannot forget the power of VOCABULARY!  I am already starting to use these words with you, but kids do not always have the understanding of vocabulary.  It is important to use and explain the size words; small, medium, big, short, tall, smaller, smallest, bigger, biggest, tiny, tinier, tiniest and any other words you may want to use to describe size. (This vocabulary is in our K and 1st grade state math standards)
 5.  When they have the concepts of ordering and the vocabulary mastered, you can start to COMPARE!  I may show them one Matroshka and have them find another one that is smaller than the one in my hand. (or bigger) Then, have your child pick one and ask you to find one that is smaller or bigger.
 6. Storytelling.  Now, this Matroshka may lend perfectly to the retelling of the story of the “Golden Egg,”  In the story, the hen lays a golden egg.  The Grandma and Grandpa cannot break it.  A mouse comes along and breaks it with his tail and the Grandparents cry.  The hen tells them not to cry, she will lay another egg that is not golden!
 
Don’t you fret if your Matroshka doesn’t have pictures for storytelling.  You and your kids could make up your own story using the Matroshkas as the main characters.  Older children can write down these stories.  Maybe even take pictures of the Matroshkas on an adventure and have them create their tale online.  (We use Little Bird Tales)
Another storytelling idea is to read a book, like “The Littlest Matroshka,” and have your children retell the story using your set.  They could even use this story as a base and make up their own version of it.
7.  Last, but not least, I’d like to throw in a little GEOGRAPHY.  What?  With a Matroshka?  Why yes, some, but not all Matroshkas will have writing on the bottom of the largest Matroshka.  Often this will be the name of the artist who painted it and the city where it was made. Many I see will just have “Made in Russia” written on the bottom.  If you are lucky enough to have some writing on yours, break out the Atlas and find where it was made.  No writing?  Break it out anyways and show your kids where Russia is.  Many Matroshkas are made in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.  Can you find those on the map?  If the writing is in Russian (and you can’t read Russian) feel free to post a picture of it on our Facebook Page and I will tell you what it says!
No Matroshkas in your house?  Here are a couple Amazon Affiliate links. Try a paint your own set!
 *** Remember, as with all small toys, use with parent supervision!

Save

Save

Save

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Filed Under: Cultural Education, Math Tagged With: Around the World, Russian, Siblings

About Amanda Boyarshinov

K - 12 masters reading teacher, author and mom to 3. Amanda is a National Board Certified teacher with oodles of experience in early childhood education.

« Afterschool Express: Top Summer Reading & Writing Resources
Pirates LOVE BOOKS »

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    June 29, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Great!

    Reply
  2. Marnie says

    September 29, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    We just totally scored a beautiful set of Russian nesting dolls from a local consignment shop! Love these ideas! Thank you…

    Reply
  3. Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says

    September 29, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    That is so exciting for you! I'm so glad you found them and shared about what a great resource consignement stores can be for finding resources for learning. Thanks for sharing our link!

    Reply
  4. Lucy Andris says

    November 13, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    I am taking an on-line course through UCLA. One of the things I had to do for a paper, was to create a lesson plan with a multicultural overlay. The info you presented on Russian Nesting Dolls was simply invaluable. You guys are absolutely GREAT! Many thanks. And I definitely want to be on your mailing list.

    Reply
  5. TheRussianStore.com says

    March 14, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    Great post. Nesting dolls are awesome! 🙂

    Reply
  6. GreatRussianGifts says

    January 8, 2016 at 8:13 am

    Education cannot be more fun if done through Russian nesting dolls. Love your article and love the babushka dolls.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign Up for our Newsletter!

For ages…

Baby
Toddler
Preschool
Grade School

Find a Kid’s Activity

Popular Posts

Child working at table with white bookcase behind with toys
winter virtual field trips for kids featuring sledding, snow covered mountains and evergreen trees and ice castles

You Might Also Like

Family using books and technology to cope with changes during social distancing

Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19

indoor play activities for cold winter days

Indoor Play Activities; Winter Learning Activities and Crafts

Indoor Movement Games and Activities for Kids

101 Valentine's Day for Kids

101+ Valentine’s Day Activities for Play and Learning

How to Make Easy Heart Shaped Pancakes with Kids

Let’s Connect!

Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021