Math Starts Early

Math games for very young children

Here we used cupcake holders and pans to sort and count arts and craft items. On the bottom of the cupcake paper write a number. Have your kids sort out items from the craft table and drop the correct number into the holder. For example the number 3, we would drop 3 bells from the bell pile or number 2, drop 2 buttons from the button pile. Grouping and sorting are the fundamentals of all math skills! It's never to early to start.

Math games for toddlers are ever so practical! It's all about introducing mathematical concepts and relationships to infants - which really isn't so difficult, even if you're not the world's greatest math genius!
You're probably already chatting away to your little one about all the different things that are happening during the day. Which no doubt includes the following:
things that are bigger and smaller...
heavier and lighter
less and more
tall and short
big and little

- and this is probably the most important point: if you're involving your child in day-to-day activities and explaining what you're doing, there's almost no way you can avoid comparing things or describing things. Underneath it all, you're pointing out differences - which at a later age can be measured :)
Other math games for kids at this stage involve sorting activities. Grouping things together, separating them, pairing them up... think socks, fruit, toys, or candy!

These primary skills help with later skills like multiplication (2 groups of 3 = 2x3… 3rd grade here we come!)

Sort out the toys together - cars in that box, blocks in the block box, cuddly toys on the bed
Pair up the socks from the laundry basket - what a chore!
Sort those blocks into colors - then muddle them all up again! Then sort...then muddle... fun!
Point out shapes during the day. Find square things and round things.
How about some matching fun? Matching shapes using household items or toy shapes, or shape/play dough cut outs can develop into a fun game.
Or match numbers - use a mini whiteboard or chalkboard, and write a number - now your child has to copy it. Or draw a wiggly line or a straight line - and your child copies that. And so on. Then swap roles. See if your child notices if you draw it wrong!

Do this activities every day with your little ones and help make that transition into kindergarten easier!
Source http://www.littlekidsgamesonline.com/math-games-for-kids.html

Ladybug lost her dots!

First, thank you Teach Preschool for the wonderful idea and song. Here is how our little ones enjoyed the activity!

This is a great counting, arts and crafts activity to do with preschoolers. I did this activity for our Mommy and Me classes that last about 35 minutes so I pre-cut all the pieces to allow for time.

I used things around the classroom to make this activity. I used a sand bucket to make the circle for the body of the ladybug and a bubble bottle for smaller circles for the dots. I traced them on black and red construction paper and cut them out. I also used googly eyes, pipe cleaners, tape, glue, and a white crayon.

Have kids glue the ladybug together, everything but the spots. Hide the spots around the room as your read the song below. Once they have found some spots let them glue them on their ladybug. I sing the song several times so the kids will sing it as they are looking around the room. Very fun! I have them write numbers on their spots with a white crayon once they have glued them down to practice writing their numbers.

Little Ladybug Song Copyright © 2010 Deborah J. Stewart

Little Ladybug on the ground

Doesn't make a sound.

Looking for her ten black dots

She lost them on the ground.

One black dot Two black dots Three block dots And four.

Five black dots Six black dots She's looking for some more.

Seven black dots Eight black dots Nine black dots And ten.

The ladybug who lost her dots has found them all again!