{"id":402,"date":"2017-11-13T14:10:56","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T21:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/?p=402"},"modified":"2017-11-13T14:10:56","modified_gmt":"2017-11-13T21:10:56","slug":"4-math-activities-for-early-math-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/4-math-activities-for-early-math-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Fun Math Activities for Early Math Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research<\/span><\/a> shows that children who have exposure to mathematical experiences early on demonstrate a higher confidence in their ability to do math. \u00a0Furthermore, these children are more likely to demonstrate characteristics, like curiosity and creativity, imaginativeness and inventiveness, persistence and flexibility. \u00a0That\u2019s why at <\/span>UDA Creative Arts Preschool<\/span><\/a>, we integrate math throughout our curriculum to provide plenty of experience for the development of early math skills. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re one of those people who drudged your way through those high school math classes, never fear! \u00a0Your child\u2019s early exposure to math doesn\u2019t have to be structured or curricular. \u00a0In fact, teaching young children math skills is much easier than you think! \u00a0Even those of us who hate math, enjoy math.\u00a0 Here’s what we mean:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Math is Play!<\/h2>\n

The <\/span>National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recommends<\/span><\/a> that rather than rote memorization of facts or doing worksheets, children will have a better understanding of math if they have open-ended play<\/a> exploration. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"early<\/a><\/p>\n

For example, the numbers become much more concrete when we’re adding legs and eyes to a bug, or body sections to our caterpillar, rather than 1+1 on a piece of paper. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make Connections-<\/h2>\n

Although math at an early age should be play, children still need to be guided to see the connections.\u00a0 You can help your preschooler expand their thinking by taking their play a step further to see the mathematical relationships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"early<\/a><\/p>\n

These kiddos are having a great time on the teeter-totter, but we can take this play a step further by asking who is heavier?\u00a0 Who is up and who is down?\u00a0 What happens if we fit two children on one side?\u00a0 They are learning to measure weight.<\/p>\n

Who knew parent = math teacher?\u00a0 But like we said, it’s much easier than you think.\u00a0 Here are four fun ways you can incorporate a little more math in your preschooler’s life:<\/p>\n

1 – Games<\/h2>\n

\"early<\/a><\/p>\n

Games are a wonderful way to apply early math skills!\u00a0 Whether your child is counting how many squares they need to move, or adding the dots on the dice, it doesn’t take a sleuth to see their little brain at work.\u00a0 Here are a few of our favorites:<\/p>\n