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Math Foundations
Early Math
During the preschool years children build a foundation of math skills and learn a wide-range of math concepts. Just as a child learns about words by learning the alphabet and letter sounds, learning how to do math begins with learning what numbers are and then how to count. |
Math ConceptsCount food items at snack time (e.g., 5 crackers, 20 raisins, 10 baby carrots).Use a calendar to count down the days to a birthday or special holiday. Help your child see the connection between a numeral like "5," the word "five," and five days on the calendar.Practice simple addition and subtraction using small toys and blocks.Play simple board games where your child moves a game piece from one position to the next.
GeometryHave your child name the shapes of cookie cutters or blocks.Arrange cookie cutters in patterns on a cookie sheet or placemat. A simple pattern might be: star-circle-star-circle. Measurement Let your child help you measure ingredients for a simple recipe - preferably a favorite!Measure your child's height every month or so, showing how you use a yardstick or tape measure. Mark his or her height on a "growth chart" or a mark on a door frame. Do the same with any siblings. Help your child compare his or her own height to previous months and also to his or her siblings' heights. Math language Talk through games and daily activities that involve math concepts.Have your child name numbers and shapes.Help him or her understand and express comparisons like more than/less than, bigger/smaller, and near/far. Spatial relations Play games where you direct your child to jump forward and back, to run far from you or stay nearby.Use songs with corresponding movements to teach concepts like in and out, up and down, and round and round. |
Math is FunGames come in many different formats. There are board games, card games, computer games, video games and even apps that provide math practice. No matter what the format, a good math game requires kids to problem-solve and make mathematical decisions. In games that have two or more players, those decisions have to take into consideration the moves other players make, too. The most effective math games:
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