Mathematics in Prekindergarten
Prekindergarten children learn that numbers represent specific quantities, and they can point to an object while counting it. They learn they can use numbers to solve problems, to predict what will happen next, and to measure quantities.
They learn to sort objects in different ways — for example, by color or size. They recognize simple patterns, which they can repeat in sounds or designs.
Prekindergarten children learn to see objects or numbers in relation to each other or to themselves. For example, they use numbers to describe items in order: first, second, and third. They can recognize several different shapes and can put two or more shapes together to form new ones. They also understand the idea of measurement and may make up their own measurements — for example, use a shoe to measure distance.
TOPICS COVERED
Expectations for what a child should be able to perform:
• Understanding numbers and how they work, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing (Number Sense and Operations)
• Investigating patterns and using symbols (such as x + y = z) to analyze mathematical situations and change (Patterns, Relations, and Algebra)
• Identifying shapes, sizes, and relationships (Geometry)
• Using number relationships to find out size and volume (Measurement)
• Doing experiments, collecting data, and using the information to decide what will happen (Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability)
WHAT YOUR CHILD SHOULD KNOW
BY THE END OF PREKINDERGARTEN, YOUR CHILD SHOULD KNOW AND BE ABLE TO PERFORM THESE SKILLS:
1. Count with understanding to at least 10. For example, choose and count seven beads to put on a necklace.
2. Use numbers to describe quantity. Can say, “I broke my cookie into four pieces.”
3. Recognize and name numerals up to 10. For example, can point to each number on the toy clock while counting aloud.
4. Quickly recognize quantity of up to four objects. For example, can see three bears and say, “There are three,” without having to count them.
5. Add and subtract using concrete objects. For example, line up three blocks, then get one more and say, “Now I have four.”
6. Recognize, describe, and copy simple patterns. For example, join in a clapping pattern: slap knees, slap knees, clap hands; slap knees, slap knees, clap hands.
7. Recognize, name, and describe simple two- and three-dimensional shapes. Can say, “This is a triangle. See, it has three sides.”
8. Create shapes using concrete materials. For example, use straws to make rectangles of different sizes.
9. Show awareness of time concepts and sequence. Can say, “After lunch we have read-aloud time” or “We go home at three o’clock.”
10. Describe and analyze information from graphs. For example, notice that “there are more boys than girls here” after looking at the attendance graph.
HOME ACTIVITIES
1. Talk to your child in number language. For example, “At five o’clock we eat dinner. At eight o’clock in the morning you go to school.”
2. Count aloud as you climb steps, button clothes, sort laundry, or stack materials.
3. Sing songs or say rhymes that include numbers (e.g., One, two, buckle my shoe). Buy simple counting books at book stores or supermarkets.
4. Explore time, money, number sense, geometry on the Internet with your child.
Pre-Kindergarten Math Course Outline
Preschool Number and Pre-Math Worksheets
01. Count and Circle worksheet 1 - Read the numeral at the beginning of each row and circle that many items (up to 5).
02. Counting Fun Worksheet 3 - counting to 5
03. Counting Turtles - counting to 5
04. How Many Apples - numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6
05. My Number Book -identify numbers 1 to 10
06. Count and Color Kittens - ordinal numbers, following directions
07. Count and Color One through Ten - counting to 10, ten pages, fine motor skills
08. Counting to Five - four pages
09. Dog Numbers Nine and Ten - counting 9 and 10, drawing objects
10. Bee Numbers Seven and Eight - counting 7 and 8
11. Chimpanzee Numbers Five and Six
12. Squirrel Numbers Three and Four - draw acorns
13. Flower Numbers One and Two - draw petals on flowers
14. Seven Fruits - draw the correct number of fruit to equal 7
17. Dinosaur Tally
19. Numbers 6 - 10 - 5 page packet
20. Numbers 1 - 5 - 5 page packet
21. I'm Learning About Numbers - 20 page packet, numbers 1-10, dog theme
22. Counting Fish - write the number that shows how many, the number 3
23. Numbers 1-20
24. Counting Tools
25. Counting on the Farm - counting to 6 and printing numerals
26. Hidden Objects
28. The Number 6 - worksheet a, count and color
29. The Number 5 - worksheet a, count and color
30. The Number 4 - worksheet a, count and color
31. The Number 3 - worksheet a, count and color
32. The Number 2 - worksheet a, count and color
33. The Number 1 - worksheet a, count and color
34. Counting Farm Animals - trace numerals, draw a line to correct number
35. Fingers and Toes - print numbers 1-10
36. Mushroom Counting and Coloring - count to 10, follow directions, colors
37. How Many Chicks? count to 3
38. How Many Bats? count to 3
39. How Many Tulips? - count to 3
40. How Many Worms? count to 10
41. How Many Worms? - worksheet 2, count to 6
42. Count and Color Circus Pups - count to 5
43. Count and Color Dogs - count to 15
44. How Many? numbers 1-5
45. How Many? - circle the number that tells how many 1-6
46. How Many? - circle the number that tells how many, 1-5
47. Number Recognition Flash Cards to 100 - print single sided
48. Number Recognition Flash Cards to 100 - print double sided
49. How Many At The Zoo? - circle the number that tells how many, numbers 1-3
50. How Many At The Circus? - circle the number that tells how many, numbers 1-3
51. Circus Counting and Matching - count how many, then circle that many in another group
52. Snowflake Match - draw a line to the number that shows how many, 4 worksheets
53. Apple Tree Trace trace numerals 1-10
54. Apple Dot-to-Dot - connect the dots 1-10
55. Apple Theme Numbers and Colors - 10 pages, color, follow directions, cut and paste
56. Apple Tree Trace - trace numbers to 5
57. Pepperoni Pizza booklet - a count to ten book
58. Apple Tree Book - single sided pages, numbers to 20
59. Apple Tree Book - double sided printing, numbers to 20
60. Number practice 1-10 - say, trace, and print numbers 1-10
61. Acrobat Jugglers - counting, following directions, color recognition
62. Cupcake Fun - draw candles on the cupcakes, numbers 1-9
63. How Many? - counting to 5
64. How Many? - counting to 9
65. Counting Practice - count and circle the number that tells how many, 4-7
66. How Many Dinosaurs - circle the number that tells how many, 1-6
67. Counting Candy - count and write how many from 5-10
68. Valentine's Day Count - count the objects and write the numbers 2-20
69. Matching Objects to Numbers #2 - numbers 1-5
70. Counting Practice 7-10 - circle the number that tells how many
71. Count and Trace the Shapes - count and trace ovals, squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles
72. Dino Numbers - write numerals 1-5, follow directions