Math kindergarten is a time when children start learning the basics of numbers, shapes, and measurements. This will prepare them for more advanced concepts that they will encounter in school and in life.
The Basics of Math Kindergarten
They will learn to count by twos and fives, as well as identify and compare groups of objects (equal to, less than, and greater than). This helps them develop their understanding of place value.
Counting
Counting is an important skill in math kindergarten, as it prepares students to understand the concept of quantity. This includes understanding that numbers refer to how many, and that quantity is related to size, weight, and volume.
Often, children develop their understanding of counting by using objects. Counting with objects makes the concept of quantity more meaningful to children, which helps them build their confidence in math.
You can use a variety of materials to engage in number sense activities, including number cards, dice, spinners, and ten-frames. You can also rotate different objects as students practice this skill, so it stays fresh and engaging.
Another way to help your kindergartner practice their counting skills is through oral counting. This can be done in a group or one-on-one with your child, and it will build a connection between verbal and oral counting.
It’s important to repeat counting often, as this will help them learn to recognize patterns and how to say numbers correctly. You can also use a number chart to point to each number as you say it.
The number word sequence starts at 1 and increases through 10. It is a simple and familiar idea that will help your student develop their understanding of numbers and number words.
These print and play counting activities are ready to use in your classroom any time you need them, whether it’s at a math center, small group, or independent practice station. They are also prepped to be used any season, so you can pull them out anytime you want and add some fun and interactive learning to your lessons!
Addition – Math Kindergarten
After building a foundation of number sense through counting, identification and number recognition, kindergarteners begin learning to add. Adding is the first step in understanding more complex mathematical concepts, such as multiplication and division.
While it can be challenging for young children, there are a few key strategies to help them learn addition. One strategy is to use countable manipulatives that make addition concrete and real-world.
For example, a hands-on addition activity can include a variety of objects that students can count, including plastic math cubes, counting bears and mini-erasers. Using countable manipulatives can help students learn to understand addition in an independent way and makes it easier to teach.
Another strategy is to use graphic organizers to introduce addition. These are great for beginning learners and can be adapted to different levels of students.
These graphing organisers feature illustrated sums and space to draw an object that matches the numbers. They’re a fun and engaging addition strategy for your classroom, morning tubs, and small groups!
You can also use painters tape to create a giant ten-frame on the carpet. This is a great whole-group game that can be used to help students understand addition and subtraction within 10.
Subtraction – Teaching Math to Kindergarten
Subtraction is a math operation that subtracts a number from another. It’s a key skill for kids to learn, especially as they move from kindergarten through first grade.
When teaching subtraction, it’s important to introduce the concept gradually – don’t overwhelm kids with complex theory all at once. It’s counterintuitive for many kids, and it can leave them confused and frustrated.
To help your student build a solid foundation, start by introducing subtraction with simple manipulatives. These can include cubes, counting bears, buttons, five and ten frames, fingers, and more.
Once students have a solid understanding of subtraction, they can move on to more abstract strategies. These include part-part-total, change, and comparative subtraction problems.
It’s also a good idea to introduce inverse operations, such as 3 minus 5 equals 2 or 8 minus 5 equals 3. This strategy can be tricky for students, but it’s a great way to help them understand the difference between addition and subtraction.
As students practice subtraction with different manipulatives, they can use the concept to solve story problems. This makes it easier for them to visualize what’s happening when they solve a problem, which is important for building their confidence with the operation.
A fun game to play with subtraction is to have your students flip over two cards and quickly subtract them. The player with the closest difference wins! It’s a great way for students to practice their skills and build computational fluency, but you can also play this game with other classmates.
Multiplication – Learn Math For Kindergarteners
Multiplication is one of the four basic operations in arithmetic. It is taught starting around second grade, after kids have mastered addition and subtraction.
There are several different ways to teach multiplication. Generally, children will start with repeated addition of small groups of equal numbers together, such as 3 + 3 = 9.
Once they get the hang of it, students will begin to use arrays and sets. These are similar to the arrays they used for addition in kindergarten.
When using these models, it’s important to practice multiple ways of showing a number of equal groups, including digits and drawings. This allows them to practice their flexibility within multiplication, so they can solve more complicated problems.
Another way to teach multiplication is to introduce word problems. Incorporate storytelling into your multiplication lessons and make them fun for your kids.
Reciting the table is another good way to help kids memorize their multiplication facts. This is especially helpful if you are trying to teach them in a classroom setting.
Another good strategy is to teach students the commutative property of multiplication, which means that the order of factors doesn’t affect the answer. This will reduce the amount of multiplication facts they have to memorize, which will free up more space in their long-term memory for other skills.
Division
Division is an important math concept that children learn in kindergarten. It’s essentially multiplication in reverse, and students are required to know their times tables by the time they enter Grade 3.
The key concept to remember is that division involves grouping objects into equal shares. This can be done using manipulatives like beans or plastic coins.
One way to start learning about division is by partitioning circles and rectangles into two, three, or four equal shares. Then, children can describe their shares with words such as halves, quarters, and thirds.
Once your student or child has a firm grasp on the concept of grouping, you can move on to working with remainders. Restremnants occur when you can’t divide evenly.
Another way to learn about division is to look at fractions. Fractions are a great way for children to practice their division skills, as they’re based on dividing whole numbers into groups of smaller numbers.
When kids are first learning about division, they may be nervous. They need to be reminded that this is just a different way to multiply, and it’s not as hard as it looks! By helping them see how their multiplication skills apply to division, you can help them feel more confident. This will make them more likely to do well in this challenging subject!
Shapes
Kids are exposed to many shapes in their everyday lives, so it’s important to teach them the names and attributes of basic shapes. Shapes are also a great way to introduce students to the idea of classifying things into groups, which is a key skill for math.
Children have a natural ability to perceive similarity in shape, regardless of their size, color or orientation. They can even recognize two similar shapes without knowing their names.
They can also easily identify differences in shape, e.g., between a square and a circle or between a cube and a pyramid. The same holds true for objects they know well, such as a pack of dogs or an elephant.
Learning about shapes in the classroom is an important part of the kindergarten curriculum. It develops critical skills in children such as visual thinking and problem-solving.
In addition, shapes are essential for understanding the concepts of numbers and place value. Kindergarten students use these skills to learn about counting up to ten and putting things together or taking them apart into smaller amounts.
To help your students understand these important math concepts, we’ve compiled some valuable resources below to support you. These include a FREE Geometry Unit for your classroom, books, and prep-free materials to make math lessons fun and engaging for your students. Whether you’re new to teaching shapes or a veteran, this collection of resources is sure to have something for your Kindergarten classroom!
