Math Activities: Preschoolers

Number Recognition and Sequencing

Preschoolers are capable of recognizing numbers from one to ten. They can learn the number names as well as recognizing the number symbols. Sequencing means knowing which number comes next.

Number concept books

Number concept books are a great way to introduce number recognition and sequencing skills. My First Look at Numbers by Random House is a simple preschool book that reinforces the number symbols and forward sequencing. Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth and Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang both reinforce backward sequencing.

Rhymes and Songs

Counting songs and rhymes are another fun way for preschoolers to learn number words. Ten Little Indians is a well known song preschoolers love to sing. Children should use their fingers to represent each number as they say it. This song reinforces forward sequencing which is the precursor to addition. Ten in the Bed is a great song for practicing backward sequencing as is Five Little Monkeys. Learning backward sequencing is just as important as forward sequencing because it is the basis for learning subtraction. For more learning songs and rhymes, visit Songs for Teaching.

Tactile Activities

Some children, especially preschoolers, learn best through the sense of touch. Allowing them to touch and feel numbers can be fun and easy.

• Sand Paper Number Boxes

Cut the numbers one to ten out of ten different pieces of course sandpaper. Allow your child to trace each number with his finger. Glue each number to the top of a shoe box. (To avoid the need for ten shoe boxes, tackle one number at a time using the same box.) Cut a hole in the side of the shoe box big enough for your child’s hand. If the box top says 5, place five surprise items in the box. The items can all be the same or each item can be different. Your preschooler can now try to guess what the items are by feeling them. Choose items that are interesting to feel, like cotton balls, gummy bears, raspberries, chocolate kisses, forks, combs, crayons, jacks, etc. Have child count the items as he removes them from the mystery box.

• Sugar Writing

This is a simple way for young children to practice writing numbers and letters. Pour sugar into a rectangular pan. Let your preschooler practice writing the numbers and letters in the sugar just like they might trace them in sand at the beach. Discard sugar after use or save it to repeat the activity often. Children will enjoy practicing writing their name and simple words in the sugar too.

Hopping Circles

Cut ten large circles out of cardboard and write a number on each from one to ten. Laminate the circles to make them last. Place the circles on the floor in no particular order relatively close together. Children will enjoy hopping from one circle to the other in sequential order. This reinforces sequencing as well as coordination.

One to One Correspondence

Most preschool math activities are geared toward teaching the one to one correspondence skill. This means children learn to understand how to point to only one object when they are counting and to stop counting when all objects have been touched. Toddlers will be able to say the counting words, but will not always put the words in the correct order (sequencing) and will often touch two items as they say each number word, touch the same item more than once, and not touch every item they are counting. They are too young to understand a one to one correspondence. Preschoolers need lots of experience with manipulatives to develop this skill.

Egg Crate Counting

Take a simple egg crate and number the bottom of each space with permanent marker from one to ten. The last two spaces can be cut off or left blank. Give your preschooler a plastic bag full of any small, interesting items like mini-M&Ms, jelly beans, beads, dried peas, pebbles, etc. You will need at least 55 items. Have your child match the number of items to the corresponding number in each space. To make the game more fun and challenging and to develop small hand coordination, have the child use child’s-sized plastic tweezers to place the items in the cups. Children can also use the same items to fill plastic Easter eggs with numbers on them.

Sticker Chart

Take a piece of butcher block paper and write the number symbols from one to ten vertically on the paper. Give your preschooler an inexpensive book of stickers. Have the child put the correct number of stickers next to each number. Children may also enjoy drawing the correct number of pictures or gluing the correct number of pompoms or buttons on the paper.

Number Dalmatians

After watching the movie 101 Dalmatians, children might love this preschool math activity. Draw a simple dog pattern and copy it ten times on white paper. Include a dog collar on the dog’s neck with a name tag. Name each dog from one to ten using numbers instead of words. Have your preschooler use a black crayon to draw the matching number of spots on each dog.

Fruit Loop Necklaces

Making necklaces by stringing fruit loops on yarn is a preschool math activity that can reinforce many skills. First have your child sort the fruit loops by color. Then use the different colors to create patterns. String a pattern on yarn first and then ask your child to create the same pattern. Have your child create a pattern for you to create. When a necklace has been strung, have the child count the loops as he slides them. Children love to practice counting backwards as they eat the cereal off their necklace. Make sure to wash hands before this activity!

Math Activities: Preschoolers Summary

Preschool-aged children need to be involved with concrete materials and manipulatives in order to build pre-math skills. Most preschoolers are not ready to add and subtract until they can recognize numbers from one to ten, count and sequence forward and backward, and use one to one correspondence to count objects up to ten. Once your preschooler has mastered these pre-math skills, he may be ready for simple addition and subtraction activities using manipulatives. Big Math Activities for Young Children, by Overholt, Dickson, and White-Holtz is a terrific book full of math activities for preschoolers.