Preschool Math

Preschool math is an important subject. In every corner of the universe, under every stone on Earth, there you will find math.

Besides knowing the alphabet itself, math is the most needed skill you will ever have the opportunity to learn. Preschoolers are great to start with, so that your children may have the upper hand in the future.

You will want to teach them numbers, counting and the basics on how to apply those concepts to their lives in general.

With the wee ones needing to be able to express themselves in all kinds of ways (read that: they don't sit still, so now what?), you need to be a bit creative when it comes to teaching them their numbers and how those things work with what they see around them.

Any mistakes that occur while they learn will be a good thing; because then you'll know where exactly it is that they need help.

Just like preschool alphabet, I suggest that you start with number flash cards and get the kids to recognise the numbers. Try to go over the numbers (1- 10) whenever you can.

We live on the ninth floor of an eleven storey building, we always play the counting game when we had to use the elevator!

You can also put together some sheets to color or dot-to-dot for number recognition, perhaps. You can have them build something out of Legos (or similar) for size/shape comparison and counting.

Be prepared go on field trips, cut and paste, or even cook to get your concepts across. It's OK to be repetitive.

You can also use Kindle Book: Marshmallow Math; Early Math For Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Primary School Children

(Incase you didn't know, Kindle is Oprah's favourite gadget!)

Always include something visual, a listening activity, and something touchy-feely. Check out our list of cool preschool math activities as well!

When you are trying to figure out if you want to use and actual curriculum or do it by the seat of your pants, have a few things in mind so that you can make the best choice for your child's development in excellence.

Are there new ideas always introduced?

Do the kids get to do something or sit there like a bump on the log? Do you get to review anything? The answer should always be "yes".

There are different types of curriculum to choose from, depending on what works best for you and your children. These ideas would work well in homeschooling or in a classroom.

Some use problem solving skills that can be performed through the use of easy equations on paper or flashcards; sticks could work well too.

Unit studies (unschooling) will put equations into their own separate categories to learn one block at a time.

Memorization is simply repeating problems constantly until it's stuck in your head.

Homeschooling curriculum has options, as well.

-Math U See has videos online to teach and assess without much repetition.

-Shiller Math offers the children hands on experience.

-Right Start Mathematics has games to teach.

-Math Mammoth has a huge variety to reach every type of learner.

Just choose a curriculum which teaches maths the easy way. We are sending our daughter to an Abacus based math lessons. I just like the way the maths are simplified and how the system encourages mental calculations.

Fun stuff? What's NOT fun about preschool math?

Games you can do with your preschoolers include jumping rope (count as you go), "Simon Says" with actions like skip three times, etc., puzzles like Sudoku or fill-ins, or hopscotch.

Play card games like 21 or cook to teach them fractions. Using graph paper, have them draw a scale model of a room.

Did you know the zoo can teach preschool math? Take the kids there and let them count the animals. Do macaroni pictures and count the pasta. See math really is everywhere you look!

There are so many other things you can do with the kids to teach preschool math!

Just have a blast!

Check out our list of cool preschool math activities as well!

Subscribe to Yippie! Times


My monthly newsletter on cool preschool activities
absolutely FREE!

Email Name Then Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it only to send you Yippie! Times.

Do you have a children's website or parenting blog? Do link to us!