Counting numbers is one of the earliest lessons we give preschoolers. They are fun to do since they are already introduced to math when they are still toddlers. They notice that holding one block differs from holding two blocks with both hands.
This can be straightforward, but it already holds a lot for them. Many daily activities have simple sorting and pattern spotting to look out for, and be amazed at what your preschooler can already observe!
Let your preschoolers love numbers even more with these fun and essential math activities compiled just for them!
Enjoy These Math Activities for Preschoolers
There are a lot of engaging math activities that can be helpful for them to master their skills. These are all important for preschoolers to prepare for their next adventure toward mathematics, so let them be amused while learning!
Object Count
This is an excellent classification activity for numbers. You will just need six cups, and write the numbers one to six in each cup. When you roll the die, let the kids find the cup with the matching number on the dice and let them put a small rock inside it. After the game, let the kids count the number of rocks in each cup!
Match Uno Cards
This is perfect for learning and memorizing numbers! Get twelve Uno cards, and let the kids flip two cards simultaneously! They will learn how to match the numbers by memorizing their right place.
Dice and Block Set
Roll the dice and let the kids count the numbers shown! They can add up the numbers in the dice and stack a tower according to the number. Kids will know how to count and correspond the number in the dice to the number of blocks to build a tower.
Sing and count
Another good way to incorporate numbers into your child is to sing along to a number song. Gather all the kids to the living room and let them have a paper plate each. The paper plates have dot markers, and everyone must have different amounts of dots.
Put the song or music on, and let them drive and roam using their plates. When the music stops, they have to find a nearby partner and let then compare who has the higher or lower amount of dots. They will have fun counting and comparing the numbers while hearing the music!
Line up the Dominoes
Dominoes are also great to have since they are composed of a different number of dots. Get ten sheets of paper and number them from one to ten. Line it up and gather all the dominoes you have.
To continue, let your kids count the number of dots in each domino and line it up according to the right paper. This is another way of letting them do an addition and find the paper corresponding to the number they have.
Shape Scavenger Hunt
Let the kids recognize different shapes and have them categorized. They have to roam around the room and search for objects. After gathering, they have to sort and match according to the different shapes they got. Have them count the objects in each category and ensure they are already familiar with the shapes.
Shapes and sticks
Another math learning tool is these sticks, where kids can create different shapes. Different shapes like triangles, squares, and octagons have a unique number of edges that kids will love to count! Their hand and eye coordination and cognitive skills will also develop, along with their math skills.
Pattern Tray
Preschoolers must also identify and observe patterns in the objects around them. Have a color pattern on paper, and let your kids follow the color pattern on their ice tray. Using tweezers, they can use colorful pom poms and place them on the right spot.
Math Race
Prepare twenty magnetic tiles on the floor. This will serve as the path on where their toy can be moved. Then, roll the dice and let your kids move their toy according to the number of the dice.
In the middle of the game, ask them how many tiles they already got and how many more they have to go to finish the race. This is an excellent chance for them to count many times as the dice roll.
LEGO bags
Kids will learn how to sort LEGO bricks according to their color with these LEGO bags. Prepare brown paper bags and design them with your corresponding colors. Let your kids put the LEGOS according to their color, and let them count the LEGOS after.
This is an excellent way for them to sort colors and count the number of LEGOS in each bag. You can also have them sort the LEGOS according to their shape and number of dots for the next game.
Know the Strategies for Preschool Math Activities
There are powerful ways to incorporate preschool math activities into your child’s daily activities. But it doesn’t have to be too hard and challenging for it to be considered a success. Remember that math skills will be developed once kids enjoy it while learning!
Here are the best strategies to look out for when having math activities for your children:
Make counting a habit
Counting the plates while preparing a meal or counting the toys while arranging them back in the basket is a great way for your child to hear the numbers. These can be done every day; look how your child can imitate this as time goes by!
Encourage them to describe objects
It is not just counting numbers that we are here about, but also letting them discover shapes and colors around them. Build their confidence by letting them sort different shapes and colors and compare them with themselves.
Enjoy the outdoors
Have a walk down the street and let them observe the houses which have numbers on them. Tell them to observe how many steps they must take from a particular house until they reach home.
Don’t underestimate the power of a growth chart
Every kid is thrilled to see how they grow bigger with this growth chart. Have a routine, and let your kid watch you update the chart. Explain their height to them every time you make an update.
Have fun cooking
Cooking consists of different ways of measuring and estimating, so this will also be a perfect strategy for your kids. They will know how to count and add the ingredients as you go along.
Frequently Asked Questions on Math Activities for Preschoolers
What are some math activities for preschoolers?
Preschoolers will love to learn while counting objects through cups and stones, matching Uno cards, dice, and block sets, singing number songs, lining up dominoes, shape scavenger hunts, shapes and sticks, pattern trays, math races, and sorting LEGOS inside a bag. These are not only fun activities to make but will also help kids to categorize shapes and identify patterns around them.
What are some fun math activities?
Math activities that contain dice, sticks, and dominoes are fun to learn! These materials contain number dots and are made for easy counting. These can also be paired with other activities and let kids enhance their creative skills. Examples are line-up dominoes, dice and block sets, and shapes and sticks.
How do you teach preschoolers maths?
You can let them have card games like Uno. This kind of game consists of numbers, colors, and patterns that are perfect for preschoolers. They can memorize the proper place of the cards and match them together in the same category. Dice and block sets are also suitable because they can build a tower by counting the numbers in the dice.
How do preschoolers develop math skills?
By practicing them to compare which objects are bigger or smaller in size, observe how close or far the distance is, and identify which is the first, second, or third in the order. They can also develop their math skills by counting and sorting games, singing number rhymes, and looking for patterns in different objects.
How do you teach numbers to preschoolers in a fun way?
You can sing a song that comprises numbers! They would love to hear this song again and again, and they will eventually sing with you as time passes by. This is also an excellent way to familiarize them with numbers and rhymes. A much more thrilling activity is to have a math race because they also get the chance to count over again as the dice are rolling.
What maths can a 4-year-old do?
They can build a tower and count all of the blocks. They can also classify which number cup they will fill once they add up the numbers in the dice. Kids can now spot repeating patterns and imitate them in their craft. They can also sort and categorize the shapes and colors found in their fun activities.
What are preschool math concepts?
First is numbers and counting, in which they will know the names of the numbers and how to write them. Second is addition and subtraction, where they can learn the relationships between the numbers. Third is geometry and spatial awareness, where they can be familiar with shapes and how to sort them. Fourth is patterns, where they know how to copy a pattern and identify the repeating patterns.
What does preschool math look like?
Preschool math encourages the children’s mathematical skills through daily activities, such as counting the toys while arranging them in the basket, matching measuring cups according to their size, and describing objects and their characteristics. All of these encourage the children to practice their problem-solving skills and enhance their reasoning skills.
What are the pre-number activities?
Counting the stones in the number cups is an excellent pre-number activity since kids can already classify which cups to fill in according to the number of dice. Matching the Uno cards can also help kids memorize the place of the card and mix it with the same card. Using sticks and creating different shapes on them makes each kid count the sides and helps enhance their cognitive skills.
What math skills should a 4-year-old know?
They can now understand basic addition and subtraction problems with the help of a visual presentation. They already know one-digit numbers and can name them. They are slowly progressing through counting and can reach up to fifteen to thirty. They are also starting to compare and measure different objects.
Why are math activities important for preschoolers?
Math can be found everywhere and has a vital role in their lives. They are highly encouraged to learn more once they start developing their math skills because this can further fuel their curiosity about the world. They also learn more when they focus on practicing their problem-solving skills.
What are five teaching strategies specific to math?
First, make counting a habit, even in a minor activity inside or outside your house. Second, encourage them to describe the object’s shape and size and compare it to other objects. Third, let them enjoy observing all the things found outside while learning how to count. Fourth, make a growth chart and explain to them how their height moves forward. Lastly, cooking is fun and will make your kid measure and estimate different ingredients.
What are the objectives of pre-math activities?
The objectives are: to use math in communicating objects about the world, use counting to explore their curiosity, and be aware of the different shapes and patterns. Their world is colorful and enjoyable once they classify and sort sizes, learn how to add and subtract, and understand the numerals as they grow up. This will begin their understanding of cause-and-effect situations and enhance their thinking skill.