It might feel like preschoolers are too young to learn math, but it’s the perfect time to start! Just like reading together sets the stage for early literacy, exploring math as a family helps set your child up for success. In fact, early math skills are the biggest predictor of future academic success, even beyond early literacy!¹ The best news? Research shows that it only takes a few minutes a day to give your early math learner a leg up. 

Not sure where to start? Here are four super-simple steps to add math to your child’s day, totally stress-free. 

1. Develop a Math Mindset

Count everything

It’s as simple as that! Count toys as you put them away, the number of steps on a staircase, or crackers at snack… This consistent exposure helps kids learn the counting sequence (“one, two, three”), and connect them to real-life sets of objects to start building number sense. An activity as simple as setting the table can be turned into a counting game. “We have four people in our family! How many plates do we need? Can you help me count out the right number?"

Spot shapes and patterns

On your next walk or drive, try a shape scavenger hunt! Challenge your child to find as many circles, squares, or triangles as they can. Keep an eye out for patterns, too. Are there alternating stripes on your shirt, or a repeating pattern of colors in their LEGO tower? Point these out when you see them, and encourage your child to continue the pattern: “What color stripe would come next?” 

Use math language

Only 1 in 180 parent-child interactions involve math!² To make a huge impact, start sprinkling math words into conversations with your child. Words used to compare or describe spatial features are a great place to start. For example, while building with blocks you might ask, “Should we add another block on top?” or “How many more blocks will we need to make it taller than you?” Don’t worry if your child already knows all of the math vocabulary you use; using new concepts in real-world contexts is the key to helping kids build meaningful understanding. 

2. Highlight Cardinality

In order to correctly count a set, children have to understand cardinality, or the idea that the last number you say as you count out a set is the same as the total amount. One way to help kids build this understanding is to emphasize the cardinality each time you count. For example, while counting out three bears, say: “One, two, three! There are three teddy bears!” It sounds so simple, but trust us—it’s a game-changer. 

Kids go through distinct stages as they build their understanding of cardinality. These are called “knower-levels.” First, they’ll be able to count out one object, but will make mistakes when asked to make a set of two. Then they’ll be able to count two but not three, and so on until they become what is known as a “cardinal principle knower.” This conceptual understanding usually comes after a child is able to count out a set of around five, and then it clicks and they are typically able to make a set of any number they can reliably count to. 

Remember that while your child might be able to count to ten, twenty, or beyond, that is a different skill than cardinality! If you’re curious about your child’s current knower-level, we have a free cardinality PDF game and guide that walks you through step-by-step how to find out your child’s level through play. 

3. Start subitizing

When you subitize a set, you know how many objects there are without needing to count each one individually. When you roll a die, you can probably say how many dots are showing without needing to stop and count. That’s subitizing!   

Subitizing is an essential early math skill that kids can start learning even before they can count, so there’s no need to wait until kids reach a certain age. 

We love using our hands to practice subitizing. Try holding up a certain number of fingers for just a second, and then ask your child if they can tell you how many fingers they saw without counting. Games with dice or dot cards are also great for practicing subitizing dot patterns. You can find lots of fun, simple ways to play on our Instagram page @growintomath.

4. Find the play

Connect math to their interests

Your child’s favorite games or toys can be used as a gateway to math! Does your child love dinosaurs? Sort their favorite dinosaur toys by size, and find the largest or smallest. Are they into pretend play? Open an ice cream shop and count out the right number of scoops and the total cost for each order.

Keep it fun

The emphasis at this age (and all ages, in our opinion!) should be on enjoyment and exploration. If your child is showing signs of frustration or disinterest, switch activities or take a break. The goal is to connect and make math fun, not a chore!

Avoid memorization

Encourage understanding over rote learning. If they can understand the “'why” behind a concept, they'll remember it far better than if they simply memorize it. The goal for each of our activities is to help kids build a meaningful number sense, not just to be able to find the “right” answer on a flashcard. 

Ready to grow into math? 

It’s really that simple to get started! Adding math to everyday activities doesn’t require elaborate plans or expensive tools. Your preschooler's world is already full of numbers, patterns, and shapes just waiting to be discovered. With a little creativity and enthusiasm, you can use daily routines to set the stage for a lifelong love of math. 

Have questions? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected] or send DM us on Instagram @growintomath. 

Citations: 

1. Duncan,et al. (2007). School readiness and later achievement. Developmental psychology.
2. Ramani et al. (2015). Math talk during informal learning activities in Head Start families. Cognitive Development.