Math for Under5's

Games

Counting
One, two, up we go
Counting the 15 stairs in our home was one of the first number games I ever played with my little boy. A year and a half later, he can almost always count to 15 without any help. The daily repetition of a ritual (that he thought was a game) along with the physical action of moving his body up or down with each number helped him learn the sequence (order) of numbers.

Patriotic counting
Counting the flags you pass while driving or taking a walk is a great way to count something different, and teach respect for our country's flag. There is something awe-inspiring even to a preschooler about a flag flapping in the wind. My little boy loves this game, especially on patriotic holidays.

Uno, dos, tres
Teach your child to count in a foreign language. We practice counting to 10 in Spanish, French and German in our house. This way we can also teach our children about other cultures. Just in case you need a refresher course for Spanish: Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez.

Ordering
One, two, buckle my shoe
Singing is fun for preschoolers, and research shows that music and math are connected. Singing teaches rhythm, ordering and counting skills. Plus, memorizing songs or poetry teaches preschool children how to put story elements in order. Numeral and shape recognition
I spy a three, I spy a triangle
Play a number or shape version of I Spy while you are driving in the car or taking a walk. Choose a number or shape for the day. Write that number or draw the shape on a piece of paper. Cheer for your child's success every time he spies the number or shape on a billboard or sign.

Comparing
Smaller, bigger/green, red
An easy way to practice comparison skills is to let your child make choices between two similar items. Does she want to play with the small ball or the big ball? Does she want the green or the red lollipop? Teaching our children concepts like same and different, equal and unequal is necessary in developing math skills.

Games that teach matching, grouping, numeral recognition and counting
Go fish
Card games are great math tools. They teach children to match, count, group and sometimes recognize numerals. Plus, kids love the one-on-one time that comes with a good old-fashioned game of Go Fish.

Which one is missing
Line up a row of matchbox cars or different shaped blocks. Have your child count the objects on your fingers. Then have him close his eyes while you take away some of the objects. After he reopens his eyes have him count the remaining objects while you put down one finger for each object that is left. When you are finished, have him count how many fingers are still up to discover how many objects you took. Then exercise his memory skills; ask him to tell you which objects are missing. This game is a little more complicated and probably works best with children over 3 years old. The game can be varied to teach grouping skills by hiding all the green cars or blue blocks.

One of these things is not like the other
To teach grouping skills, gather a group of similar items such as matchbox cars, wood blocks, Cheerios etc. Throw in one slightly different item: like a train with the matchbox cars, a Lego with the wood blocks, an Apple Jack with Cheerios. Ask your child which item doesn't belong.

Phone Numbers
This I used to help my child learn his phone number and phone numbers of his friends and family. Cut a 4x8 piece of tagboard for each person to be included in the phone book. On each sheet, punch two holes on top the long way and insert rings to hold it together. Glue a family picture on the home phone number, a picture of Dad for his work number, Mom for hers, grandparents, best friends, etc. Then carefully print the phone number onto each one. Laminate if necessary to make if stronger and longer lasting. Each night before bed, his "book" became part of the routine. We discussed each one and read it aloud and pretty soon he could be quizzed on them.

Candy Math
Give each child a handful of their favorite candy, M&M's, gummy bears, chocolate kisses, jelly bellies, or even goldfish crackers. Let the kids use these when figuring out a math problem. On index cards write 3+4=__ have the kids put 3 candies on the #3 and 4 candies on the number 4, have them count the total amount and write in on the blank line. After they are completely done with all the math problems, and they've clean up their projects, let them enjoy some of the candies!!

Fingerprint Bug Math
Give each child some index cards onto which they will put their fingerprints. On the first card, they put one fingerprint. On the second, they put two, on the third, three, etc. When the cards have dried, the children can then add legs and a face to each fingerprint to make them into bugs. On the back of each card they are to write how many bugs they made. Once the cards are finished, you can use them in counting games! You could also do the same thing for addition and subtraction just by adding a +/- in the middle of the finger prints and an =__ at the end. Another option might be to use stickers or stamps instead of the finger prints.

MONEY SONG and BOOK
"Christmas is coming,
The goose is getting fat.
Please put a penny in the Little Elf's hat!"
Run a picture of a little elf and change the word 'penny' to nickle, dime, quarter, half dollar and dollar. Have each child color one picture and laminate them. Bind them into books that will have one of each coin named inside and put a small piece of velcro in each hat. Send them home in an envelope with a baggie containing a penny, nickle, dime, quarter, half dollar and dollar with the opposite velcro piece on the coin.

HOUSE FUN
I give each children a picture of a house. They then decorate it to look like their house at home. On the bottom of the house in big bold print I write that child's addreess. On the top of the house I write the child's first and last name. When they are done decorating the house I cut the roof of of the house. During circle time if that child can say and reconize their address they then get to put the roof on their house. I always help them if they get stuck. Everyone gets the roof on their house by the end of circlr time for trying. Children love this activity and it makes them want to try and learn their address. I also do the same thing with learning their telephone number. I use a telephone and cut of the reciver. They they get the reciever on their phone when they can recognize and say their telephone number.