If you have children in the elementary or preschool age, you should be familiar with “Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic”, which are considered the core areas of learning. These areas of learning offer students the basic skills which they need in school and life. These skills are important for your young learners, but math hardly gets attention in preschool beyond rate counting.

Studies have shown just how little time is actually dedicated to math in preschool level. In fact, one study showed that in a six-hour day, a paltry 58 seconds was dedicated to intentional math. The studies also found out that when children devoted more time to math in a school day, their knowledge of the subject significantly improved.

The question still remains that why do schools and educationists dedicate so little time to preschool math? Sometimes, the simple answer is that the thought of math is intimidating to even the older folk, and we might not be sure of where to begin teaching Pre-kindergartners mathematical formulas.

Confidence in your ability as an adult to tackle Pre-K math is the first thing you need. There is little doubt that you can handle any preschool math thrown your way, and the next thing is to equip yourself with the tools and an understanding of what the little children need to learn easily and effectively.

Much like singing the ABC’s is not how your child will learn to read, learning to count as high as ten does not guarantee that your child will know anything about math. You must teach your child number sense, and what those numbers mean.

Search online to find easy printable worksheets for your children or find a math website for kids to help you!

Geometry

Geometry might sound like a complicated math concept, but it is simply the study of space and shapes. Children will learn early enough how to use words and simple sentences to express where they are. For example, on the playground, they will be able to say “I’m under the slide” or “I am climbing up the ladder”. Simple activities, songs, and games should help preschoolers build their vocabulary. Other simple games will also teach them how to build shapes, identify them, and explore with shapes.

Numbers & Operations

Preschool children might already know the numbers, but they still need help to develop their number sense and also explore the relationships between numbers. Number and Operations simply teaches your children how to use symbols and words to show what they mean when they say “I want more”.

Measurement and Time

Measurement is an essential skill for your children to learn. Once they have mastered the skill of measurement, your kids will be able to determine the amount or size of things. By directly comparing everyday objects in terms of size, weight and height, your kids will prepare themselves to learn the standard units of measurement. Time is a concept that your kids will understand in relation to what they do at different times of the day. As they get older, they will also learn about the clock and how to tell the time.

Teaching math to your kids and ensuring that they understand is important, but you need to also help your kids see how math can be found everywhere. With play activities and simple exercises as you go about your daily lives, you can show them how math is functional, and shapes, numbers, and other math concepts are relatable to the real world.