Preschool Math Games: Fun Ways to Introduce Kids to Math
Your preschool child is not too young to start learning math! Play the following interactive games with your child and begin creating his or her math foundation.
An Overview of Preschool Math
Learning opportunities that incorporate play are typically the best ways to help your young child learn new skills. To be prepared for kindergarten, it is important for your child to learn basic numbers and how to count. Describing shapes and being able to group objects into sets will give your child a boost when he or she enters kindergarten.
Match that Number
Before beginning this game, write the numbers 1-10 on index cards. On separate cards, draw shapes to represent the same numbers. Randomly spread the cards out on the table and have your child identify cards that match. For instance, if your child counts out five triangles on a card, he will locate the card with the number five on it.
As an extension activity, ask your child to identify the shapes on the cards. To make the game more interesting, you could turn over the cards and have your child flip over two cards to match the numbers and shapes. Depending on your child's ability level, you could also use the shape cards to have your child add two numbers together. The drawings on these cards would allow your child to count the two groups to arrive at a total.
Math Scavenger Hunt
Have your child go on a scavenger hunt outside in search of groups of items, such as leaves, rocks or twigs. Ask your child to lay out the collected items in groups on the cement or the sidewalk. Have her count how many items are in each group and use sidewalk chalk to write the appropriate number for each group. Together, you and your child can compare the number of items in each group to see which group has the most and which has the least.
Family of Math
Ask your child to draw a picture of his family, including extended family. Have him use the picture to answer math questions. For example, how many people are in your drawing? How many of the people in your drawing are boys? You can even have your child use his picture to do basic addition or subtraction. Ask your child questions like, 'If we have ten people in our family and all of the children go outside to play, how many people would be left?'
Other Articles You May Be Interested In
-
Old-Fashioned Building Blocks Can Help With Math and Other Academic Basics
Who knew that when we played with wooden building blocks as kids we were actually learning? Apparently we were; studies show that building blocks can aid in the development of various academic skills. But high-tech toys could one day make blocks obsolete. Given their apparent value, however, should every attempt be made to...
-
MIND Games Lead to Math Gains
Imagine a math teaching tool so effective that it need only be employed twice per week for less than an hour to result in huge proficiency gains. Impossible, you say? Not so...and MIND Research Institute has the virtual penguin to prove it.
We Found 7 Tutors You Might Be Interested In
Huntington Learning
- What Huntington Learning offers:
- Online and in-center tutoring
- One on one tutoring
- Every Huntington tutor is certified and trained extensively on the most effective teaching methods
K12
- What K12 offers:
- Online tutoring
- Has a strong and effective partnership with public and private schools
- AdvancED-accredited corporation meeting the highest standards of educational management
Kaplan Kids
- What Kaplan Kids offers:
- Online tutoring
- Customized learning plans
- Real-Time Progress Reports track your child's progress
Kumon
- What Kumon offers:
- In-center tutoring
- Individualized programs for your child
- Helps your child develop the skills and study habits needed to improve their academic performance
Sylvan Learning
- What Sylvan Learning offers:
- Online and in-center tutoring
- Sylvan tutors are certified teachers who provide personalized instruction
- Regular assessment and progress reports
Tutor Doctor
- What Tutor Doctor offers:
- In-Home tutoring
- One on one attention by the tutor
- Develops personlized programs by working with your child's existing homework
TutorVista
- What TutorVista offers:
- Online tutoring
- Student works one-on-one with a professional tutor
- Using the virtual whiteboard workspace to share problems, solutions and explanations