Math Readiness for Littles

Math can be really fun! Pre-math activities are easy to incorporate into your little one’s day, both spontaneously and intentionally. There are seven areas of math readiness to introduce and practice. Through play and everyday activities, children can practice these concepts.

1. Matching with one-to-one correspondence
2. Identifying colors, shapes, and patterns
3. Number sense: identifying numbers, counting in sequence (forward & backward)
4. Estimation: making an educated guess, rough calculation
5. Measurement
6. Representation: matching numbers to objects
7. Problem solving

Make math readiness part of your child’s day with these activities.

• Count numerically.
• Read numbers (traffic signs, grocery prices, house numbers, etc.)
• Encourage problem solving with daily activities.
• Measure size, weight, volume, and time. Cooking together gives kids practical measuring experiences. Use dry and liquid ingredients. Timers are fun tools too.
• Read books that include patterns in colors and shapes.
• Get kids moving with math concepts in mind. Count hops, ball bounces, jumping jacks, etc. Focus on counting the quantity in numerical order. Countdown too.
• Ask easy addition and subtraction questions. “If we buy two apples and 3 oranges, how many in all?”
• Look for similarities and differences.
• Count silverware for the dinner table to reinforce one-to-one correspondence.
• Print a calendar for the month. Count the days. Identify the patterns.
• Compare sizes of objects for bigger-smaller attributes.
• Open-ended questions give kids and opportunity to think. For example, “How many cotton balls will fit into the cup?” or “How far can you throw the ball?” Follow up by counting the items or measuring the distance.
• Identify colors.
• Puzzles are great math skill boosters.
• Estimate how many items will fit in a bag or fill a cup.
• Avoid math worksheets.

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
Proverbs 18:15

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