Early math skills are being used by children throughout their activities, experiences and daily routines, whether at school or at home. For example, becoming familiar with their routines such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, taking a nap, and learning about going shopping with their parents can all become math learning opportunities when approached in a certain way. Math learning centers use simple and fun activities to help children gain an interest in math.
Math is Everywhere!
Mathematics plays a major role in a child’s development and helps children make sense of the world around them. Children between the age of one to five years old are beginning to explore patterns and shapes, compare sizes and count objects; when guided in the right direction.
When it comes to preschool activities children use a variety of methods to problem-solve and talk about their findings. Math play is evident in pretend play, block play, literacy play, outdoor play, and science play, for example.Any of the following commonly-found items can be used as tools to help teach fundamental math skills like adding and subtracting:
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- Peg Number Boards
- Counting Bears
- Car Garages
- Magnetic 2D and 3D Blocks
- Number Tracing Sheets
- Tangrams
- Playdough
- Books and Rhymes
- Puzzles (e.g. Jigsaw Puzzle)
Math Play: Examples from a Preschool Learning Center
Measurement
Measurement is a skill most kids are eager to learn since it’s easy to see real-life applications. This activity category includes ordering and comparing objects to figure out time, weight, length, and graphing. Measure the length of bookcases, floor tiles, playground equipment, toys, and more.
Numeracy
Numeracy activity includes saying numbers, writing numbers, counting, and recognizing a number of objects. Counting toys, dividing the lego blocks into colors, counting the number of blocks, making cardboard with numbers 1 to 10, and placing the right number of marbles, are a few numeracy games you can play in a preschool program
Pattern and Shape
Figuring out patterns and shapes is an easy and fun game. Pattern and shape categories include keeping the blocks of different shapes and asking your little one to name them or coloring the shape you say is a simple yet educating activity you can play with your children.
These are just a few examples of what goes on in preschool activities that can help your child gain more interest in math. Math is found in every aspect of our lives. If you want your child to be ahead of the curve, then i-Maths is one such Math program that can help you out. Want to know more about it? Click here to find out!