Preschool Math Activities

Mathematics for preschoolers covers many topics. Not only should they learn to count, but also learn their shapes, how to tell time, and comparisons.

Comparisons would include big vs. little, full vs. empty or perhaps same vs. different.

There are many options out there for preschool math activities to teach the children these concepts.

Below are listed ten simple activities, just to get you started.

Sing Some Songs -

"One Potato, Two Potato, " or "One Two Tie My Shoe" are just two songs to available to learn counting.

Roll the Dice -

Take a pair of dice and let the kids roll them out.

You can teach them to count the dots on the dice or you can teach them addition and subtraction by using the two dice to form an equation.

Sticker Charts -

Write vertically numbers one through ten on a piece of paper or a poster for the wall.

With some inexpensive sticker books, let the children choose their own stickers and put one next to one, two next to two, etc. Preschool math activities are supposed to be fun!

Hopping Circles -

Cut out circles marked one through ten (or higher).

You may want to have the circles laminated to last longer.

Put these on the ground in random order and have the kids jump from one to two to three, etc.

Egg Counting Game -

Write numbers one through twelve on each section of an empty egg carton.

Fill each section with the listed number of little things (M&Ms, raisins, nuts, etc.) and have the kids count them out. They can learn counting backwards by eating one at a time.

Hide and Seek -

Hide a small item for the children to find. Give them simple instructions on how to find it like "Walk fours steps backwards." or "Turn toward the door." and so on until you have them at the cabinet or shelf where you hid the object.

This helps the preschoolers learn counting forwards and backwards, as well as directions of left and right and up and down.

Measure Hunt -

Instead of using a ruler, have the kids use their hands or feet.

Trace their hands or feet onto construction paper and cut them out. Pick some place or something in the building or outside to measure.

Have the children find something longer, shorter, or bigger than their hand or foot and measure the objects to see how many hands or feet they are.

Number Rubbings -

Print large numbers 1-10 on paper. Find some objects with different textures and have the kids rub with crayons them within the numbers. Pick two objects for 2, three for 3 and so on.

Numbers Grab Bag -

Write numbers 1-10 onto index cards, fold them all in half and put them in a paper sack.

Pennies or buttons can be used for counters as you have the children pick a number from the bag.

Have them open up the paper and read the number and count out the appropriate amount of items for that number.

Blind Finger Counting -

Have a shoebox with the lid taped on top and cut a small hole in the side of the box for a hand to fit through. Have the children close their eyes while you drop some small objects down inside the box.

Have them count with their eyes closed.

Teach them backwards counting by returning the items to the box. As you can see, you can have a lot of fun with preschoolers. The list is actually endless, but this should be a great starting point for you. Enjoy, laugh, and have fun!

Oh, if you have any cool ideas for preschool math activities, do share with us!

Some useful links:

- teaching preschool math

- maths coloring pages

- number flashcards

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