Math Topics For Preschool

From counting toys to figuring out which snack plate has more, young children naturally explore numbers and shapes. These early math skills are like building blocks for their growing minds, helping them think logically and solve problems. That’s why understanding how to teach preschoolers math is important.

Whether you’re a parent wanting to support your child’s mathematics learning at home or an educator seeking fresh ideas for the classroom, we are here to help. We’ll explore how to build a strong foundation for your preschoolers, getting them excited about learning math and setting them up for success in school and beyond.

Math is more than just numbers; it’s a language that shapes how we think and solve problems. Early childhood is a critical period for developing essential math skills. Introducing foundational concepts at a young age lays the groundwork for future academic success and overall cognitive development. Parents and teachers are a vital part of a child’s mathematical journey, and introducing early math concepts at a young age is one key to success.

A great preschool math curriculum can turn learning into a fun adventure! When math time feels like playtime, kids are more excited to learn and soak up new skills. A well-designed curriculum helps kids learn and makes teaching math more enjoyable for teachers. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Parents and teachers have a golden opportunity to turn playtime into learning-filled fun. By introducing numbers, shapes, and patterns in a playful way, we’re not just teaching math; we’re building strong brains! Our comprehensive and complete mathematics curriculum is just what you need to make math engaging and fun. The best part? By incorporating our daily lessons, you can rest assured that your preschoolers are getting exactly what they need, all year long. Read on to discover all of the basic components of preschool math, which also are the units included in our mathematics curriculum.

Number Recognition and Counting

Developing a solid understanding of numbers is essential for early math success. Children need ample opportunities to recognize and count objects to build a strong numerical foundation. So, we always encourage practice in a variety of ways and lots of repetition.

Recognizing Numbers

There are several ways to introduce numbers to young learners in an engaging way:

• Visual Aids: Flashcards with large, clear numbers are a classic tool. You can also use picture cards with corresponding numbers, like showing a picture of three apples while saying “three.” This helps children connect the abstract symbol with a quantity. You can take it one step further for the best concrete understanding and have real apples or manipulatives for them to count.
• Number Puzzles: Number puzzles are both fun and educational. One type of puzzle allows children to manipulate the pieces and connect a number with pictures that represent its numerical value. Another type of puzzle gives practice in “building a number” by connecting together a few different puzzle pieces that form one complete number. Basic counting puzzles offer practice in both number recognition and counting.
• Interactive Games: Learning becomes a game with activities like number hunts. Hide number cards around the room and call out a number for children to find. This keeps your kiddos active and motivated.

Counting Skills

Counting is an essential skill that empowers children to quantify their surroundings. Here’s how to encourage counting in your daily routines:

• Everyday Counting: Encourage children to count objects they encounter throughout the day, such as toys, snacks, or steps. This helps them internalize the counting sequence.
• Incorporating Counting: Integrate counting into daily activities. Count snacks while setting the table, sing counting songs, or count books before bedtime.
• Active Counting: Engage children in activities that involve counting actions, like clapping hands or jumping while counting. This adds a kinesthetic element to learning.

Basic Shapes and Geometry

Exposing young children to math through shapes, spatial relationships, patterns, sequencing, and basic measurement concepts lays a strong foundation for their cognitive development. Here’s a breakdown of these concepts and activities to introduce them to preschoolers:

Identifying Shapes

Children love learning through play, so incorporate shapes into fun activities like singing shape songs, reading stories with shape characters, and engaging in hands-on shape explorations. 

• Use shape-sorting puzzles to help children differentiate between circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles. 
• Encourage your preschoolers to become shape detectives by spotting shapes in their surroundings—from the roundness of a clock to a triangular slice of pizza.
• Have your preschoolers make shapes with playdough using shape mats or shape cutters.

Understanding Spatial Relationships

Developing spatial awareness is equally important. By introducing spatial terms like “big,” “small,” “above,” and “below,” children begin to understand the position of objects in relation to each other.

Building with blocks is a fantastic way to enhance spatial reasoning. As they stack, arrange, and combine blocks, children develop a sense of behind, in front, on top, and underneath. Puzzles also challenge their spatial thinking as they visualize how different pieces fit together to create a complete picture.

Patterns and Sequencing

Our Positions and Patterns lesson plans are packed with fun activities to help preschoolers learn about shapes, where things go, and what comes next. From hands-on games led by the teacher to independent learning with printable worksheets, this unit keeps little minds engaged and growing.

Recognizing Patterns

Patterns are everywhere and introducing them early helps children develop essential thinking skills. Start by showing simple patterns using objects, like red, blue, red, blue or circle, square, circle, square. Introduce more complex patterns, like ABCABC or ABBA, as children grasp the concept. Encourage your preschoolers to create patterns using materials like beads, blocks, or counters. This hands-on approach helps them identify the repeating sequence and develop critical thinking as they figure out what comes next.

Sequencing Skills

Understanding the order of events is another important skill. Children love stories, so use picture books to introduce the concepts of ‘first,’ ‘next,’ and ‘last.’ Talk about daily routines, like getting dressed or brushing your teeth, and emphasize the sequence of actions. Engaging in games that require children to arrange pictures or objects in the correct order can also enhance their sequencing abilities.

Basic Measurement Concepts

Measurement is all around us! From comparing “more” and “less” to exploring concepts like length, height, and weight. Teaching basic measurement concepts helps children understand and explore their environment. Introducing simple ideas like size, length, weight, and volume can spark their interest in math and lay a strong foundation for future learning.

Size and Length

Children naturally compare objects, so capitalize on their curiosity by introducing terms like “taller,” “shorter,” “longer,” “bigger,” and “smaller.” To make measurement tangible, encourage them to use non-standard units like paper clips or blocks to measure the length of objects. This hands-on approach introduces the concept of measurement in a fun and relatable way. Alternatively, you can also have measuring tools like rulers and measuring tapes available for play and exploration.

Weight and Volume

Expanding children’s understanding of measurement includes exploring weight and volume. Introduce concepts like “heavy,” “light,” “full,” and “empty” through hands-on activities that allow children to experience these qualities firsthand. A balance scale is a valuable tool for comparing the weight of different objects. Let children experiment with filling and emptying containers with water or sand to explore volume. These activities spark their curiosity and lay the groundwork for more complex measurement concepts in the future.

Introduction to Addition and Subtraction

Laying the groundwork for mathematical operations starts with simple concepts like adding and subtracting. By introducing these ideas in a concrete way, we help children develop a strong number sense and problem-solving skills.

Simple Addition

Addition is the foundation for more complex math concepts. Here’s how to make it fun and engaging for preschoolers:

• Hands-on Addition: Use everyday objects like blocks, toys, or snacks to demonstrate the concept of adding. For example, “Let’s put two bears and one bear together. How many bears do we have now?” You can even have your preschoolers hold up fingers as you count objects together, and you can help them count their fingers.
• Number Line Hop: Create a simple number line on the floor or wall. Children can take steps forward as they count, making addition a physical and interactive experience.
• Addition Stories: Tell stories that involve adding quantities. For instance, “There were three bunnies. Two more bunnies hopped by. How many bunnies are there in all?” Bonus if you have some bunny stickers or toy bunnies to count as you tell the story!

Simple Subtraction

Subtraction is the opposite of addition. Here are some engaging ways to teach subtraction:

• Object Removal: Start with a group of objects and remove some. Count the remaining objects to demonstrate subtraction.
• Snack Time Subtraction: Let children count their snacks and then “subtract” some by eating them.
• Game-Based Subtraction: Play games that involve removing pieces, such as board games or card games with simple subtraction rules.

Comparing and Sorting

Helping children understand similarities and differences is a crucial step in their mathematical journey. Here are some activities to try:

Comparing Objects

Introduce the concepts of “same” and “different” to help children understand similarities and differences between objects. Encourage them to compare objects based on various attributes like size, length, height, weight, color, and shape. By comparing objects, children learn to observe details and make distinctions.

• Sorting by Attribute: Gather a variety of objects and ask children to sort them based on size, color, shape, or other attributes.
• Comparing Heights: Line up dolls or stuffed animals and ask children to identify which one is taller or shorter.
• Weight Comparisons: Use a balance scale to compare the weight of different objects.

Sorting Objects: Creating Categories

Sorting helps children organize information and understand classifications. Here are some sorting activities:

• Shape Sorts: Provide different shapes and ask children to sort them into groups based on their shape.
• Color Sorting: Gather objects of various colors and let children sort them by color.
• Size Sorting: Collect objects of different sizes and ask children to sort them from smallest to largest.

For daily engaging math lessons for your preschoolers, be sure to check out our complete year-long preschool curriculum. It includes a wide variety of fun and effective lessons in all the learning areas we highlighted above.

Early math education is a vital component of child development. Parents and educators can create a fun and engaging learning environment by incorporating math into everyday activities. Remember, the goal is to foster a love for math from a young age. With patience, creativity, and encouragement, children can develop a strong foundation in math that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Sarah Punkoney, MAT

I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

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