by Helium01

Created on: May 09, 2011

Many parents think math is a subject best taught in school and far too advanced for their toddler or preschooler. However, there are some basic math concepts that can be taught to very young children in a fun and practical way.   

One concept is one-to-one correspondence. In other words, being able to count a number of objects in a group. This single concept is the basis for all math learning. How can it be introduced? When playing with blocks or other toys that have many pieces, show your preschooler how you can count as you set the pieces in a row. This works best with no more than five items to start.

It is not necessary that the child understand what you are doing right away. Continue doing this each time you play. This can also be done with foods at mealtime. Counting out the number of crackers, beans, or cereal pieces. It helps build understanding if the child can also physically move the pieces as they are being counted. It also allows you to see how well the child understands the concept.   

After a time, when the child can help with the counting fairly accurately, you can start asking the question, “How many?” For example, “How many blocks are in the stack?” Remember to start with small numbers and increase as the child learns to count higher numbers. You can then try requests like, “Can you give Daddy three blocks?” and see how well the child does with the task. Also, you can ask the child, “How many crackers do you want?” and have the child help count out that number.   

Once these two skills are fairly well mastered, you can add the idea of comparing quantities. For example, make two groups of blocks, one for you of three blocks and one for the child of five blocks. Then introduce the concepts of more and less. First have the child count both groups. Then explain that the bigger group has more and the smaller group has less. Do not expect the child to get this concept right away.

Over several days of showing brief examples of the terms, the child will develop an understanding of the concept. Then you can use the terms in sentences like, “Take the stack of crackers that has more and leave Mommy the stack of crackers that has less.” You will quickly be able to see if the child has developed an understanding of the concepts of more and less.   

At this age, do not belabor the teaching of these skills. Short casual “lessons” are all that is needed. It’s the repetition of the concepts over time that builds math understanding.

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