Math for Preschoolers

The Early Math Collaborative at the Erikson Institute lists their set of Big Ideas which map the key math concepts young children need to explore between the ages of 3 and 6. These big ideas, including sets, number sense, counting, and more, are organized by topic on this page.

This is a lesson plan for a play activity that offers a fun way to practice measurement skills by building a house for a toy or for a favorite fictional character like the Cat in the Hat!

This page provides links to free learning modules designed to help prospective and practicing teachers of young children develop learning opportunities that are intentional, developmentally appropriate, engaging, and playful.

Use a School Readiness Activity to provide early mathematical thinking experiences for preschool children that will prepare them to do well in the early grades. Activity to solve problems using 1, 2, and 3 objects. (Children should be able to identify quantities of 1, 2, and 3, and count to 3, before doing this activity.)

This article geared towards parents gives lists of math milestones most kids hit at roughly the same age. Examples of these developmental math skills are listed for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and up.

This position statement from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics provides a framework for educators to help young children learn and explore the foundations of math.

This article explains how photographing children’s work can be a powerful addition to portfolios and assessments in the early childhood classroom.

This list of articles and resources on Preschool Math is put together by the Early Math Collaborative at Erikson Institute.

Use a School Readiness Activity to provide early mathematics thinking experiences for preschool children that will prepare them to do well in the early grades. Activity to experience sharing equally and to use strategies for problem solving such as “use manipulatives,” “guess and check”.

This provides information on research that explores spatial skill development at a young age through means such as spatial assembly tasks, block building, and learning about geometric forms.

This provides a few simple activities that families can do together to give kids opportunities to observe, record, and think about sequencing.

This provides information on age-appropriate number and counting skills, including how to encourage number and counting skills at home and at preschool. Information is also provided regarding where to turn for advice and assistance.