Preschool Math Activities
& Lesson Plan Ideas
Teaching with preschool math activities can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all involved when you are armed with the best information and resources. That's where I come in!
Math is so integral to our everyday lives and the best time to start teaching those concepts is as early as possible.
Preschool-aged children learn math concepts through hands-on activities, so get out those adorable counting bears and let's get started!
Teaching Preschool Math
When teaching math to preschoolers, there are several points you need to keep in mind.
- Each child learns and develops at their own pace. Some students will catch on to a skill quickly, while others need repeated practice.
- Students need to build their knowledge like a pyramid. For example, a child needs to have a solid understanding of one-to-one correspondence before moving on counting objects.
- Repetition is important when teaching preschool math. Learners who are exposed to concepts over and over have a more concrete understanding because they've had time to dig deeper into the skill.
- Children need to be actively engaged in the learning process, not idling watching someone else demonstrate.
- Students should have opportunities to work alone, with partners, and in groups to maximize learning.
- The teacher should always focus on the learning process, not just the product that is created.
Hopefully these tips will help you in your teaching!
Preschool Math Standards
By the time a child enters kindergarten, they should be able to:
- Count and identify numbers from 1-10
- Demonstrate one-to-one correspondence from 1-10 (touch each object as they count it)
- Identify some money (penny, dime, nickel, quarter, dollar)
- Begin to understand comparative terms (more, less, bigger, smaller, etc.)
- Begin to understand time units (day, week, month, etc.)
- Identify basic shapes
- Sort objects according to a certain attribute (e.g. red and blue buttons)
Preschool Math Activities & Teaching Ideas
Now that you know what preschoolers need to learn in the area of math, how do you go about teaching those objectives?
These math activities will get you started. The skill(s) each address are in parentheses.
Bead Necklace: (Patterning)
Give children a shoestring tied into a knot at one end. Have a large
supply of wooden beads (use big ones and supervise carefully with
younger children who may put them into their mouths). Show them how to
make a pattern like red, blue, red, blue and then have them try to
create their own.
Egg Carton Counting: (Counting)
In an empty egg carton, write numbers in the bottom of each of the 12
sections. Have children place the correct number of beans in each
section.
Measure Me: (Measuring)
Put children in groups of 2. Give each pair a ball of yarn and a pair
of safety scissors. Show them how to measure a body part with yarn and
then cut the length with the scissors. Allow them to measure various
parts like legs, arms, noses, fingers, etc. with their partners. When
finished, discuss the differences in lengths.
Setting The Table: (One-to-One
Correspondence)
Have a variety of paper and plastic eating utensils available for this
activity - plates, cups, napkins, tableware, etc. Place several stuffed
animals/dolls sitting around a table. Have students practice putting
one plate, one cup, one napkin, etc. for each guest at the table. When
done, have a pretend tea party!
Button Sorting: (Sorting)
Give children a large container of buttons (supervise carefully if
young and still put things in their mouths). Also provide many empty
containers like margarine tubs. Allow children to sort the buttons
according to whatever attributes they would like to explore - size,
colors, number of holes, etc.
Yarn Numbers: (Making Numerals)
Cut a 6 inch length of yarn for each child. As a group, practice making
each number by shaping the yarn. Allow children to work together in
partners if more than one piece of yarn is needed to create the number
(like for the number 4).
Now that you've read some of my favorite preschool math activities, send us your best idea and then check out the other ideas submitted by visitors like you...
What's Your BEST Idea for Teaching Preschool Math?
Submit the best idea and/or activity you have for teaching preschool math and show others how creative you are!
Other Visitors' Preschool Math Activities
Click below to see the other preschool math activities submitted by other visitors to this page and rate your favorites...
Cooking Experiments
One of my favorite things to do with children is cooking. What better way to allow them to feel like they can accomplish something while at the same time ...
"Touchpoint" Counting
I make cardboard cutouts of each of the numbers. On each of the "touchpoints", I draw a circle with a marker. I set these out at the math center and the ...
Making Sets (Learning Attributes)
Make your own set of Attribute Pieces. You'll need a piece of card stock or posterboard and a piece of foam core board. (You can probably make these from ...
Sand Number Writing
In my preschool classroom, I have children practice their number writing with sand. I fill shallow baking pans with some sand and let them practice writing ...
Clothes Pegs Numbers
Not rated yet
Provide an empty shoe box and 5 large wooden clothes pegs. Paste on the shoe box numbers from
1 to 5. and on each clothes peg draw with a marker dots ...
Active Counting
Not rated yet
Make a spinner with pictures of activities on it such as jumping jacks, touch your toes, hop, jump, turn etc. Make your spinner by using a paper plate ...
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