What to Include in Preschool Math Lesson Plans

Preschool math activities are more effective when they’re guided by well-structured preschool math lesson plans. That’s just the truth. It’s one of the most important and easiest strategies for teachers. Lesson plan! But wondering what to include in your math lesson plans for preschoolers? I’ve got a system for you. It’s as easy way to hit all the important developmental needs to preschoolers while also being fun and targeting early mathematical skills.

It’s important to build a foundation of strong academic skills in the early years, and math is no exception. Research by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) emphasizes the importance of early math experiences, highlighting how they promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning skills that benefit children throughout their education. [Mathematics in Early Childhood]

Here at Stay At Home Educator, we believe a well-defined preschool math curriculum is an important tool for developing these skills. Our Daily Lessons in Preschool Math Curriculum provide a comprehensive framework for teaching math by integrating hands-on activities in a structured and systematic way.

Core Components of a Preschool Math Lesson Plan

A well-structured preschool math lesson plan is the cornerstone for effective early math education. It serves as a roadmap, guiding teachers and helping to ensure that all important skills are taught in the right way and at the right time.

To create a successful lesson plan, try to include the following:

1. Clear Learning Objectives:

Define the specific skills your students will develop through the lesson. Are they practicing counting to 10? Identifying shapes? Knowing learning objectives helps you tailor activities and assess progress.

• Preschool Math Objectives
• Preschool Math Concepts List
• Unlocking Preschool Math Goals
• Essential Preschool Math Topics

2. Engaging Activities:

Preschoolers learn best through play! Hands-on activities, such as sorting colorful buttons or building towers with blocks, keep them engaged and help solidify abstract concepts.

• Easy and Effective Preschool Math Activities
• Super Simple Preschool Math Activities
• Fun Preschool Math Centers Ideas
• 20+ Preschool Math Activities To Do At Home

3. Materials and Resources:

Having the right materials on hand is essential. Gather manipulatives like counting bears, puzzles, and measuring tools. These will be your go-to resources and will keep learning hands-on, concrete and fun.

• Preschool Math Toys
• Best Math Books for Preschoolers
• Preschool Math Printables
• Exploring Math Through Picture Books
• Free Preschool Math Curriculum

4. Assessment:

Observe student participation, ask questions throughout the activity, and consider having students create simple math products (like drawings of counted objects). Tracking progress allows you to adjust future lessons and celebrate individual growth and learning.

• Preschool Math Scope and Sequence
• A Guide to Teaching Preschool Math Skills
• Daily Lessons in Preschool Mathematics Curriculum

5. Differentiation:

Recognize that children learn at their own pace. Offer varying levels of difficulty within activities or provide options such as smaller counting sets for those who need extra support.

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Sample Math Lesson Plan

There are key components to include to help make your lesson plans successful and effective.

You wouldn’t make a new dish for dinner without a recipe, right? Think of lesson planning in the same way. There are specific steps to follow, and ingredients (materials/resources) to include in order to have the most successful casserole, or rather lesson, possible.

A successful lesson plan can be built on this simple structure:

1. Introduction: Briefly introduce the learning objective and engage your children’s interest.
2. Instruction: Clearly explain the new concept using simple language and eye-catching visuals.
3. Guided Practice: Work with your children on activities that demonstrate the concept.
4. Independent Practice: Provide opportunities for your preschoolers to apply their learning through independent activities or math centers.
5. Assessment: Briefly assess understanding through observation, discussion, or asking for a simple demonstration of skills learned.

Here is an example of a “Farm Theme” Preschool Math Lesson Plan:

• Introduction: Sing a song about farm animals and count the animals together.
• Instruction: Display flashcards with numerals 1-5 and discuss their corresponding number names.
• Guided Practice: Match numeral flashcards with toy farm animals.
• Independent Practice: Set up a “Counting Haystacks” center with numbered hay bales and counters.
• Assessment: Observe children as they work at the center, asking questions about their counting strategies, and checking for understanding.

Math Activities for Preschool Lesson Plans

Alright, so we know math is important, but let’s be honest, sometimes it can feel…well, dry. But fear not! Here’s where the magic happens – turning math into a fun and engaging experience for your preschoolers. Check out these activities.

• Teach Counting – Preschool Math Bundle
  • A complete set of counting activities and lessons to help preschoolers master numbers 1–20 through hands-on play and practice.
• Teach Addition to Preschoolers
  • Introduces early addition skills using simple, playful strategies ideal for young learners just beginning to combine numbers.
• Preschool Math Graphing Unit
  • Teaches basic graphing skills using real-life objects and interactive activities to introduce data collection and analysis.
• Preschool Math Unit – Measurement Lesson Plans
  • A unit focused on comparing size, length, weight, and volume using hands-on tools and relatable examples.
• Preschool Math – Teach Patterns
  • Helps children recognize, build, and extend patterns through engaging visuals, manipulatives, and games.
• Teach Shapes – Preschool Math
  • Covers both 2D and 3D shapes using tactile and visual activities to build shape recognition and vocabulary.
• Learning Sorting in Preschool Math
  • Develops categorizing and classifying skills through simple sorting activities based on color, size, shape, and more.
• Preschool Math Lesson Plan Bundle
  • A comprehensive bundle covering all core math concepts for preschool with pre-planned, low-prep lessons and materials.

Read this: What to Include in Your Preschool Lesson Plans

Preschool Math Center Ideas

Looking for fresh and exciting ways to teach math to your preschoolers? Our preschool math centers offer a variety of creative activities that will make learning math engaging and fun for every child.

Click on the links below to explore each unit of our preschool math centers:

• Learning Shapes
• Counting 0-5
• Positions and Patterns
• Counting 0-10
• Measurement Activity
• Counting to 20
• Comparing & Sorting Unit
• Graphing activity
• Addition and Subtraction

We also have a year of literacy centers in our Preschool Literacy Centers Bundle.

The early years are a crucial time for math development. By implementing effective and fun preschool math lesson plans, you can foster a love of learning and equip your preschoolers with a strong foundation for success in math and beyond.

To help plan your best year of math lessons yet, be sure to check out our comprehensive math curriculum. We guarantee it will save you lots of time and will also take the guesswork out of your planning.

Grab our Math Lesson Plans for Preschoolers Bundle

Bundle and save on preschool math lesson plans for the year!

Read this: Summer Skills Math & Literacy Bundle