| Emphasizing the Fundamentals | | | | having them clip the corresponding number of |
| Preschool is the time in a child's life where some of the | | | | clothespins or paper clips on the card. Rather than |
| most basic concepts of education such as reading, | | | | having individual cards, some teachers choose to use |
| writing and arithmetic are introduced, and the | | | | one giant card with the numbers 1-10 illustrated on it, |
| fundamentals for future learning are set out. At this | | | | and having children clip the objects onto the large card. |
| tender young age, it's better to introduce these | | | | Here's a fun preschool math game called "Gingerbread |
| concepts with play, stories and games as opposed to | | | | People Count" that can be played around Christmas. |
| straight up teaching, since children learn best through | | | | To begin, cover a piece of cardboard with aluminum |
| activity. Try some of these preschool math games to | | | | foil to make it resemble a cookie sheet. Cut out a |
| get children well on their way to adding and subtracting. | | | | number of gingerbread people from brown |
| Incorporating Math into Everyday Activities | | | | construction paper, and write a different number on |
| Instead of merely setting aside a special time for | | | | each person. Children are to decorate the gingerbread |
| preschool math games, try incorporating math into | | | | people with the matching number of candies or |
| everyday activities. While children are picking up toys, | | | | chocolates. This craft can also be performed with real |
| have them separate the toys into sets based on | | | | gingerbread people and icing to make the candies stick. |
| whatever they prefer: color, size, or function. After the | | | | The Introduction of Addition and Subtraction |
| toys have been separated, help them count the | | | | Once children have a firm grasp on counting and |
| number of toys in each pile. | | | | number matching, the basic concept of addition and |
| Many preschool math games often incorporate the | | | | subtraction can be introduced using one of these fun |
| idea of matching the numerical digit with the concept | | | | preschool math games. First, try this game called |
| of that number. For example, in this game called | | | | "Clothespin Math", which requires a line of string, a |
| "Number Jump", each child is given an index card with | | | | number of small cutouts of pieces of clothing, and |
| a number on it. The teacher places a larger number | | | | many clothespins. |
| card on the floor and everyone with that number must | | | | Tie the line of string, but not too high so that the |
| place their small card onto of the large card and hop | | | | children can still reach it. Give one of the children ten |
| that many times. Continue until everyone's number has | | | | clothespins, and ask them to hang four pieces of |
| been called. | | | | clothing on the line. Then, have them hang five more |
| Counting skills can be practiced with nearly any | | | | pieces of clothing on the line. Ask how many |
| classroom object, including people, toys, and pencils. | | | | clothespins they used altogether for adding practice, |
| These basic skills can be expanded by giving each | | | | and how many clothespins are remaining for |
| child an index card with a number illustrated on it, and | | | | subtraction practice. |