Everyday Math Ideas for Toddlers

Physical Math Games

• TeachPreschool.org states that when children get their entire bodies into the process of learning math skills, the movement helps to reinforce the lessons they are learning. A counting game like hopscotch is especially useful. Another variation of this game could be to have children toss a die and skip rope according to the numbers they roll. Try using colorful materials to further stimulate the child̵7;s interest. Colorful hopscotch mats can be purchased online.

Measuring

• Toddlers love to get their hands into things, and cooking activities are great ways to foster healthy eating habits while providing a fun and basic introduction to learning fractions. It makes sense to assume that when children are actively working with fractions they no longer view them as abstract numbers without meaning. Instead, numbers become more concrete. Engaging in exercises such as measuring half a cup of flour will help children better estimate answers to mathematical questions. Low-sugar cookies, for instance, are easy to make and can be shaped into one of your child̵7;s favorite objects, such as a rocket ship or a flower.

Learning About Shapes

• Shapes are all around us, and our day-to-day activities provide a classroom for toddlers to learn about shapes -- a vital component of math. Child education company Leap Frog advises parents that, whenever they are out with their children, mom and dad should point out shapes. This will help children learn the correct names, and help them count the sides and corners of the shapes. Parents can ask ̶0;what shape is a stop sign and how many sides does it have?̶1; or ̶0;what shape is that ball̶1;? By actively pointing out shapes of objects that a child sees every day, parents may also be teaching their children to be more analytical.

Sorting Games

• Sorting provides opportunities for children to be more successful in math once they are enrolled in school. Sorting helps toddlers develop organizational skills, and helps them differentiate between objects that are the same, different or similar. Sorting not only helps little ones develop math skills, it also prepares them for success in fields that rely on categorization like chemistry, music and biology. Children can sort objects based on color, size, texture and shape. Parents can even use jellybeans or frozen berries that the child can consume after the game is finished. This will provide a sweet reward for a job well done.