Preschool Math Activities:

You are Never too Young for Math

It is never too early to incorporate math activities. Preschoolers can pick up early math skills quickly which will only help them learn math concepts.

Why Math?

To some math is a horrible, awful thought, while others thrive on math. Math is a necessary evil. You need math to balance a checkbook, follow a recipe, check the time, etc. Yes, we have calculators and clocks, but if you must learn how to work these items (all part of math skills).

Here's a little trick...if your preschooler doesn't hear you say "math is hard", they won't know math is hard. Your preschooler is a sponge and learning is learning whether you are teaching math, vocabulary or manners.

What Math Skills Does My Preschooler Need to Know?

At this age, what you will be teaching your little one is basic awareness of math such as:

1. Number Recognition

2. Counting

3. Sorting

4. Basic Shapes

5. Patterns

6. Basic Measurement

7. Similarities and Differences

8. Passage of Time

9. Learning Money Concepts

10. Simple Directions

This is just a partial list of the concepts your child should be exposed to before kindergarten.

What Materials Do I Need?

Fortunately at this level, you don't need much, some imagination, fun items to sort, count and compare, a knowledge of preschool math vocabulary, pencils and paper.

How do I Teach Math Skills?

Start simple and build on what your child knows without rushing them to learn a new concept before they are ready. For example, if your child can count to two, start counting to three working your way up to ten. If your child knows circle add square then triangle, etc.

Starting your preschooler on the road to learning basic math skills now will help them learn math concepts in school. It does not take a lot of materials to begin teaching preschool math concepts. Preschool math does not involve complex skills. It is easy to instill a love of math in your child, especially when learning is fun and on their level. Weaving math skills into everyday activities will put you and your preschooler on the road to math success.

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