Preschool Math

Teach your child the language of math by using words like:

• big/little,
• heavy/light,
• long/short,
• add/subtract,
• more/less,
• near/far,
• empty/full,
• same/different, and
• first/next/last.

Also use the terms pair, dozen, half, quarter, divide, measure, seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years.

Help your child learn to identify shapes, colors and numbers by pointing them out in your daily activities. Have your child push the correct elevator button, bring you the red ball, match socks, or play preschool educational games.

Form shapes out of food, popsicle sticks, or toothpicks. Use paint or food coloring to experiment with color. Here are some other suggestions for a preschool math activity.

Counting is as Easy as 1, 2, 3

• Have your child count fingers and toes, toys, cookies or the number of cans to put in the grocery cart.

• Incorporate preschool physical education by playing hopscotch, or counting steps, jumping jacks or trampoline bounces.

• Tell your child to bring you 1 diaper or pick up 6 toys. Go on a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood to find 1 bug, 2 flowers, 3 rocks, and so on.

• Reinforce the concept of 1 to 1 correspondence by having your child set the table or give each member of the family 1 cookie.

• Give your child spare change to save. Help him count the number of coins as you put them in a jar or piggy bank.

• Invest in puzzles and storybooks that emphasize shapes, colors and numbers.

• Sing preschool action songs that involve numbers and counting.

• Hang a wall calendar in an easily accessible location. Help your child count down the days to important events.

Additional Teaching Tips and Ideas

Here are some tips and ideas for teaching:

Preschool art,
Preschool writing,
Preschool reading,
Preschool science, and
Preschool physical education.

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