Get ready! This counting surprise for preschool math is a whole lotta fun!
Oh, how I love a good hands-on math activity. Here, we spiced up the anticipation with a counting surprise for preschool math underneath each cup.
It’s easy to set up and playful to explore. This is what hands-on math activity dreams are made of!
RELATED: Looking for simple ideas without searching Pinterest? Check out our activity cards.
How do you teach preschoolers to count?
- Model counting out loud throughout the day for your preschooler to hear the repetition.
- Invite counting when learning through play. Try Tapes, Toddlers, and Toys along with Feed the Sharks.
- Find objects at home to count, such as snack crackers, counting socks from the dryer, and even fingers and toes!
By Kindergarten, many children will be asked to understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted. The number of items is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order they counted.
Use this math standard as a benchmark.
Remember it, and save it for when your child has confidently mastered counting 1-10.
RELATED: Have a Kindergartener? Give these 30+ Kindergarten Activities a try!
Once you are sure your preschooler understands the number name and how it relates to the amount, begin to use the numbers out of sequence.
I know that my preschooler can confidently recall numbers 1-10 and associate the number name or symbol (5) with a number of objects.
I also know that he is beginning to recall numbers 11-20.
RELATED: We keep math toys in reach for everyday use. See our favorite math and STEM toys.
Supplies
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- White paper roll – We use this one listed here.
- Counting bears
- Painter’s tape
- Cups or bowls
- Sticky notes
- Marker
RELATED: Did you know that grasping these small bears helps with fine motor strength?
Let’s play this surprise counting activity!
First, review the numbers listed on the sticky notes.
Next, lift the bowl and count the bears.
Finally, assign the correct number name with the number of bears under the bowl.
Ideas on how to modify:
Fewer bowls
Try one bowl at a time.
Play the first time only with numbers 1-10. This will help gain confidence and momentum for higher numbers the next time you play.
The best time to play is now! Let’s play this counting surprise activity with our preschoolers today.
These are some great tips! It’s so true that even though they may know how to count 1-20, they may not fully comprehend what it means. Thanks for sharing your insights 🙂
These are really great tips! My daughter has mastered counting from 1-10 both in English and Spanish and is learning to associate these numbers with amount so these are really helpful!
Belle | http://www.OneAwesomeMomma.com
Great ideas! I tried to do something similar with my kids with jellybeans … the jellybeans did not last very long! 🙂 My daughter is on her way to counting to 100. OMG. She counts all of the time. EVERYTHING we encounter is counted. 🙂
I love that you did the activity and have suggestions on how to do it better. This is exactly where my daughter is. She needs to learn 11 – 20.
I’m all about teaching my babies! This is perfect… plus we have those bears!! I love how you said what you would change too!
My son is three and we’ve really been working on counting. I’m SO excited to try this game! And I never even thought about the counting/memorizing/understanding concept!
This is a great way to work on the concepts behind counting, instead of memorizing the number names!
I love this! My little guy will be two soon and I’ve been thinking a lot about preschool and what he needs to learn. I love reading posts like this!
Oh, we have a four year old who has been struggling with this and it is finally just starting to click for him. I definitely want to try this activity with him!
Yes! Such a good activity, and so simple, since you can use any objects!
Such great advice! I love learning with my kids, too, and I think they’d love this activity!
Such a great activity! I love that you called out that knowing to count and understanding the numbers are different!