How to Teach Math to Kids with Games and Activities

There are concepts in mathematics that must precede numbers. You can't expect a child to count all the red blocks until they can identify the color red, for example. These concepts are typically taught to children at the preschool through kindergarten. However, all children learn at different speeds. Introduce these prenumber math games and activities to kids at a young age. If they do not seem interested in learning prenumber concepts, don't rush them. Keep the learning games and activities light and they will progress through them in their own time.
Left, Right and In Between
Big and Little or Large and Small
Before and After
Top, Middle and Bottom
More and Less
Same and Different
Matching Objects that are the Same
Sort by Color
Sort by Size
Sort by Shape

The games and activities used above to sort by color, size and shape can also be used to sort items into groups by weight, texture, temperature, sound, category (for example, fruit and vegetable.) Practicing these activities frequently in daily life will prepare kids to do well in math later.

These math concepts are generally learned at the Kindergarten level and after the prenumber concepts above seem to be understood.

*Counting Orally from 1 to 10 (Ability to verbally count without assigning meaning to an object) - This is best accomplished with songs about counting to 10, "One little, two little, three little, ladybugs, four little..." In addition to having the child practice often by singing, let them hear you counting daily. Repetition is the key to counting orally!
*Conservation of Number (A group of 5 things covering a small area and a group of 5 things covering a large are equal in number.)
*One to One Correspondence (Counting objects accurately)
*Counting with Meaning 1 to 10
*Cardinality (Final number counted is the total number of objects)
*Concept of Zero or None
*Counting Numbers 11-20
*Counting Numbers 21-30
*Visual Spotting

Matching Numerals
Match Numbers with Corresponding Groups of Items
Recognize the numbers 11-19
Recognize the numbers 20-29
Begin to apply the pattern to 30-39, 40-49, etc.
Recognize numbers 39-100
Use a calculator

Rote Count 1 to 100
Use a Number Line
Count Forward from any Number (not just 1).
Using a Number Line to Identify One More and One Less
Determine Which Number is Larger on a Number Line
Skip Counting by 2's
Skip Counting by 10's
Skip Counting by 5's
Counting on
Counting Backwards

Ones and Tens
Grouping Items in 10's and Counting in 10's
Place Value of numbers up to 100
Understanding 100's

Drawing Shapes, such as Lines and Circles
Learn to Write Numbers with the Handwriting Without Tears Program

First, Last, Between
Ordering Numbers
Graphing

Adding 2 groups by counting on from the last number of the 1st group
Understanding that Adding is Putting 2 Numbers Together
Understanding that the order of Numbers Does Not Change the Outcome When Adding
Addition Practice
Memorizing Addition Facts
Learning Which Pairs of Numbers Have a Result of 10 in Addition

Adding Larger Numbers
Adding in Story Problems
Writing Number Setences
Using Tally Marks

Learning the Concept of Subtraction
Learning that the Bigger Number Comes First
Play the Take Away Game
Subtracting Like Units
Linking Addition and Subtraction
Using a Calculator to Subtract

Identifying which Group has More and How Many More
Using Subtraction to See if an Item Can be Purchased
Calculate Change at the Store
Deciding whether to Use Addition or Subtraction to Solve a Story Problem
Deciding whether to Use Addition or Subtraction in Daily Living
Using a Calculator for Subtraction

Name the Days of the Week in Order
Use a Calendar
Identify Months, Holidays and Seasons
Use a Daily Schedule
Tell Time by the Hour
Tell Time by the Half Hour
Tell Time by the Quarter Hour

Ordering Objects by Length
Comparing Lengths to Familiar Objects
Measuring with a Ruler
Learn that Liquid Volume Remains the Same Despite the Shape of the Container
Compare Units of Measure Such as Pints, Quarts, Gallons, and Liters
Understand the Concept of Weight and Guess Which Object is Heavier
Read a Thermometer

Identify Shapes such as Circle, Triangle, Square, and Rectangle
Identify that Everyday Objects are Similar to These Shapes
Identify a Ball, Box and Sphere
Identify that Everyday Objects are Similar to Balls, Boxes, and Spheres
Recognize Repeating Patterns of Numbers

Identify $1, $5, $10 and $20 Bills
Match the Bills to Items You Want to Buy
Skip Count Currency
Understanding Paying and Receiving Change
Understanding Cents
Understanding How to Read Dollars and Cents
Rounding to the Next Dollar
Using the Next Dollar Strategy to Pay for Items at the Store
Using Money to Buy More than One Item