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Math is essential for preschoolers, as it teaches them to make sense of the world around them. This fascinating subject is the bedrock of many brain-building activities for kids, which is why we encourage teachers to find creative ways to teach it to their preschoolers. And though teaching kids math comes with challenges, math games for preschoolers simplify the learning process.
What math concepts do preschoolers learn?
Over the years, kids learn different math concepts. However, there are four basic notions that you should teach preschoolers.
Counting
Counting is an easy way for preschoolers to learn about numbers and quantity. The best teaching practices for counting lessons are interactive and rely heavily on practical tasks. Teachers often use brightly colored objects to make the concept relatable and help preschoolers remember counting.
Addition and subtraction
The focus of this concept is to teach the children addition and subtraction. While kids don’t need to start learning about equations at this stage, a simple 1+1=2 will familiarize them with the concept of loss and gain. And with math games, you can turn the lesson into a fun exercise for the kids.
Measurement
Children often wonder why objects look different or their older siblings are taller. They like comparisons but can’t quite put their curiosity into words. Measurements in math help them understand the concepts of length and volume and how it applies to their daily lives.
Geometry
There are different shapes kids will see at home and in school. Understanding the basic idea of geometry will help preschoolers make sense of those shapes. And as they grow, they will easily link them to more complex concepts like angles and dimensions.
How do I make learning math fun for preschoolers?
You have to go the extra mile to make preschoolers understand mathematical ideas. But don’t lose hope yet; there are many ways to make your kid love math and numbers. Here are some of them:
Use real-life exercises
When teaching fundamental math concepts, use exercises to simplify the ideas for preschoolers. These examples make the subject relatable and retrievable for the pupils.
- After teaching the preschooler how to count from 1 to 10, give them numbered objects and teach them to say the numbers aloud as they count.
- When teaching addition and subtraction, hand ten crayons to a pupil and ask them to give a few from their stash to another pupil. After, ask the first pupil to count how many crayons they have left aloud.
- For measurement lessons, you can have two kids of different heights stand together and ask the class to indicate the taller one.
- After teaching the preschoolers the names of standard shapes, encourage them to identify the shapes they saw on their way to school. This exercise will boost their memory and image recognition.
Use preschool maths game
Games are guaranteed to increase understanding of a subject, especially for children. There are many fun preschool math games you could try out for your kids. You can get printable math games for preschoolers from the internet or download preschool math games free online. Games that teach children to match numbers up to 3, identify embedded numbers, or solve subtraction problems are great for preschoolers. These games help preschoolers enjoy math concepts, link abstract ideas to real-life scenarios, and develop problem-solving capacities.
Are online preschool math games for kids any good?
The availability of free math games for preschoolers has raised questions, mostly about their necessity. But the easiest way to make kids learn anything is to make it repetitive without losing its fun factor. A preschooler’s attention span is approximately 6 to 9 minutes, which means you have a narrow window to teach them any concept.
Kids of all ages are attracted to online games; the colors and sounds keep them interested. These games are fun and designed to trigger the preschoolers’ retentive memories. So if you want your child to learn math for hours without stress, downloading fun preschooler math games on their tablets and teaching them how to play the games is the best course of action.
Reasons to borrow ideas from preschool math games online when teaching children
We already know that teaching kids math using preschool math games will strengthen their knack for numbers. But the benefits don’t end there. If you use the ideas in math games for preschoolers free online, you will see improvements in your pupils’ learning rates for the following reasons:
All the pupils can learn at a comfortable pace
Not every child will understand that 1+1=2 the first or second time you say it. Some kids need extra help when learning and struggle when exposed to conventional teaching styles. But when you use online games to teach children and have them practice the lessons, you carry all of them along. Of course, some kids will get to the end of the line faster than others, but your job is to ensure that they all get there eventually.
The games help kids develop a love for math
Many college students don’t like math. This aversion to calculation and numbers could be due to their teachers’ lackluster approach to math when they were younger. On the other hand, math games make learning calculations fun. The joy of beating challenges in the game triggers dopamine secretion in their brains, making them love the games and math.
Associating math concepts with games help retention
Preschool math games stimulate kids’ motor skills, senses, and minds. If a preschooler replays a game they enjoyed while learning a math concept, they will remember the idea. This retention process happens subconsciously, which is why it is so effective.
What skills can be improved using preschool math games?
It isn’t enough to know which math games preschool kids will love. Teachers should also discover the skills that preschool math games can enhance. Knowing these skills will help them find suitable games to introduce in class.
Relativity skills
Using free preschool math games can help preschoolers build relationships between numbers and objects. These games have colorful versions of real-life objects that help children identify them. For instance, subtraction games link the names and images of things with the concept of loss.
Shape and pattern recognition
Games with patterns and shapes can help your kid improve their geometric recognition skills. These games teach them to identify and combine patterns, which can help them remember the look of these shapes even after they’ve set their devices down.
Computer skills
When preschoolers play math games on devices, they learn to use them. They understand the concept of swiping, clicking, starting and ending a program, and using these complex devices. So although people hardly think of developing computer skills as a direct benefit of playing games on smartphones and tablets, it is.
Addition and subtraction
Addition and subtraction math games introduce children to the idea of increasing and decreasing numbers. These games display moving images, which excites kids. Some challenges are more complicated than others, but overall, using them will help your child improve their addition and subtraction skills, which are integral for future equations.
Free math games for preschoolers and second-graders online
Now that you appreciate the importance of math games, you should introduce a few of them to your pupils today. These games are free, practical, and fun. They will improve your teaching methods and ensure you carry your students along in the classroom.
Compose numbers within 5
Help the Oolzools send the snail home by composing the numbers within 5. This game focuses on improving children’s addition skills. So if you are preparing lessons on addition, add this game to make things interesting.
Count on using a number line
This advanced game will help second-graders learn to count and add numbers on a line. Using a number line, calculate and add numbers to get a sum. The game is well-built with a colorful interface that appeals to second-graders.
Count back
Count numbers back to subtract and get an answer. Subtraction is usually tricky for young children to understand at the beginning. Thankfully, this game will help your child understand the concept of subtraction.
Find the missing number in the unit form.
Using the colorful fishes in the game, understand how to solve the problems with place value. Place value is an integral part of second-grade math, and it is also one of the most complicated concepts they have to face.
Identify the place name for a digit.
This game is essential for students struggling with place value in math. The game’s concept is simple: If you see a number, you say the place name. The app will help your second-grader understand place values.
Conclusion
To ensure that kids understand math concepts easily, consider introducing them to preschool math games. These games are beneficial to the preschooler and the educator and help pupils relate abstract math concepts to everyday objects. So if you want to improve the skills of preschoolers in your care, download and use the free math games in this article today.