The Importance of Math in the Early Years

Early math skills are being used by children throughout their activities, experiences and daily routines, whether at school or at home. For example, becoming familiar with their routines such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, taking a nap, and learning about going shopping with their parents can all become math learning opportunities when approached a certain way.

Math is Everywhere!

Mathematics plays a major role in a child’s development and helps children makes sense of the world around them. Children between the age of one to five years old are beginning to explore patterns and shapes, compare sizes and count objects. When it comes to preschool children, they use a variety of methods to problem-solve and talk about their findings. Math play is evident in pretend play, block play, literacy play, outdoor play and science play, for example.

Role of the Adult

Parents and Educators play an important role in influencing and being a role model for children by providing opportunities for children to learn and develop new skills. Adults need to allow children to direct their own play and support them by enhancing or extending their play. Children need opportunities to:

Discover and create.Use number concepts and skills to explore.Develop confidence in their ability to think things through.Solve meaningful problems.Create connections to help discover relationships (e.g. characteristics).

Examples of Math Play Materials

Any of the following commonly-found items can be used as tools to help teach fundamental math skills like adding and subtracting:

Peg Number Boards
Counting Bears
Car Garages
Magnetic 2D and 3D Blocks
Number Tracing Sheets
Tangrams
Playdough
Books and Rhymes
Puzzles (e.g. jigsaw puzzle)
And also this PreSchool Learning Addition - Basic Math for Kids app?