Math for Preschoolers: Building Early Foundations

Ever feel lost when it comes to teaching math for preschoolers? You are not alone! Many educators and homeschooling parents struggle with where to start when introducing preschool math. While flashcards and drills might come to mind, the good news is that teaching math can be super fun and much more meaningful, too!

Learn how to turn playtime into math time, develop your child’s problem-solving skills, and foster a lifelong love of learning! and be sure to check out all our recommended preschool math activities and math lesson plans for preschool to get you started.

Unveiling the Math Magician Within: Engaging Activities for Preschool Math

Do you ever look at your preschooler and wonder, “Where do I even begin with math?” It’s a common concern for educators and parents alike. Flashcards and drills might seem like the only option, but what if math time could be a blast for both you and your child?

Here’s the secret: Teaching math to your preschooler is super easy, you just have to have the right math activities and lesson plans. I’ll show you how to introduce various math concepts to preschoolers, as well as supply you with easy lesson plans that will make teaching preschool math not just manageable, but enjoyable!

Check out these articles: Tips for Teaching Math to Preschoolers and Preschool Math Lesson Plans: a Comprehensive Guide.

You’ll also find a curated collection of age-appropriate preschool math activities and lesson plans designed to cater to various learning styles. Get ready to transform math time into an exciting adventure for both you and your little learner!

If you’re looking for a done-for-you, open and go, preschool math curriculum, take a look at our Daily Lessons in Preschool Math Curriculum.

What Kind of Math is Best for Preschoolers?

The best kind of math for preschoolers is one that is both systematic and explicitly taught. This approach ensures that foundational concepts are introduced in a structured and sequential manner, allowing children to build upon their knowledge step by step.

Early math education should focus on several beginning concepts:

• number sense (quantification, addition and subtraction)
• patterning
• comparing and sorting
• graphing
• measurement
• shapes

Systematic and explicit instruction helps preschoolers develop a strong mathematical foundation.

What to Include in Preschool Math Lessons

Designing math lessons for preschoolers requires careful consideration of their developmental stage and learning styles, as this is a crucial stage for them to understand and explore various concepts.

Effective preschool math lessons should encompass a variety of foundational concepts that are essential for young learners’ cognitive development, such as those listed above. Doing so will ensure educators can create a rich, engaging, and comprehensive learning environment.

This holistic approach not only helps children grasp abstract concepts but also fosters a positive attitude toward math through interactive and play-based activities. Consistent practice and repetition will further solidify these important early math concepts.

Lesson Planning Format

Here are some resources about what a preschool lesson plan format looks like, as well as a few guides on how to create preschool math lesson plans from scratch.

• Easy Preschool Lesson Plans format
• Preschool Math Lesson Plans
• How to Structure Kindergarten Math Lesson Plans

Tips for Teaching Math to Preschoolers

Preschoolers are natural explorers, soaking up knowledge like sponges. This makes teaching them new things, like math, both exciting and demanding.

The key? Tap into their curiosity! Here are some tips to turn math lessons into engaging adventures:

• Let them Play and Discover:
  • Provide various math tools like counting blocks, shape puzzles, and measuring cups. Let them explore freely, asking open-ended questions to spark critical thinking and creativity around math concepts.
  • Read this article by the NAEYC about making math meaningful through play.
• Short and Sweet Activities:
  • Remember that preschoolers have short attention spans. Plan short, varied, interactive activities to keep them focused and engaged.
• Math is Everywhere!:
  • We use math constantly! Take advantage of everyday routines to teach math in a meaningful way.
  • Check out this list of everyday math activities.
  • And this article about what everyday math looks like at different stages of development.
• Patience and Encouragement:
  • Remember, every child learns at their own pace. Offer patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement.
  • Celebrate their efforts, no matter how small, to boost confidence and motivation.
  • See mistakes as learning opportunities, providing gentle guidance to help them overcome challenges.

Preschool Math Curriculum

If you’re excited to teach your little learner math skills, check out our Preschool Math Curriculum and make math fun for your preschooler! 

Daily Lessons in Preschool Mathematics ditches the worksheets and engages them with daily activities covering all five math areas. Expect new skills, refreshers, connections to reading, and independent practice, all designed to keep them learning and loving math!

This curriculum is specifically designed to consider the developmental stages of preschoolers. Activities are kept short and engaging to match their shorter attention spans. It incorporates movement and play, recognizing the importance of physical development in young children. 

What Math is Taught in Pre-K?

The preschool stage, typically encompassing ages three to five, is a remarkable growth and development period for children. This encompasses cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language domains.

The progression of math concepts during this stage follows a scaffolding approach, where more straightforward ideas are introduced before progressing to more complex ones.

In the early preschool years, the focus should be on number recognition, counting, and basic shapes. This can then be followed by introducing simple addition and subtraction concepts. As children develop further, the curriculum can be reinforced by introducing more complex patterns and measurements.

Here are some activities to learn math with your pre-k students:

• Composing Ten: A Ten-Frame Counting Activity
• Ice Cream Counting Card Activity
• Shamrock Color Sorting Activity
• Shape Train Activity
• Balancing Scale and Counting Bears Activity

Math for preschoolers is not just about numbers and shapes; it’s about developing a lifelong love for learning and problem-solving. As parents, we play a vital role in this development stage as it is our responsibility to ignite the curiosity of our young learners.

Let’s continue to inspire and support our little mathematicians as they build a solid foundation for future academic success!

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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