8+ Math Games for Kids in Preschool

April 29, 2024
Math games for kids

The current times are when the world of education is constantly evolving and transforming at a fast pace. This is when learning through play benefits you in numerous ways, especially in the subject of mathematics. Math games for kids are not merely activities; they play a crucial role in fostering a deep understanding and a sense of appreciation of the concepts in mathematics from a young age. Games and activities simplify any difficult concept, making it interesting and easier to grasp. This approach helps kids overcome the usual fear associated with Math.

Children develop a positive attitude towards Math and enhance their cognitive skills. This blog discusses not only the benefits of math games for kids in preschool but also provides the best 10 math games for kids that parents and teachers can include in their daily learning routine.

 

Fun math games for kids in preschool

 

Importance of Math Games for Kids

Games are an important element in early childhood education. This is especially true while learning subjects like mathematics which lays the foundation for future learning paths. When you choose the best preschool for you child, they learn while having giving the perfect head start to their educational journey. Here are ten compelling reasons why math games hold immense importance for kids in preschool:

  • Fosters a Love for Math: Early exposure to math games helps children develop a positive attitude towards the subject, turning apprehension into enthusiasm.
  • Enhances Engagement: Math games more effectively capture the attention of young learners than traditional teaching methods, thanks to their interactive and fun nature.
  • Improves Retention: Children are more likely to remember and understand mathematical concepts when they actively learn through play. This improvement in retention is essential for developing fundamental abilities.
  • Encourages Active Learning: Math games require children to participate actively, ensuring full engagement in the learning process and enhancing its effectiveness.
  • Supports Individual Learning Pace: Games enable children to learn at their own pace, allowing them to repeat and practice skills as necessary without feeling pressured or rushed.
  • Develops Critical Thinking: Many math games involve puzzles and problems that challenge young minds, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills from an early age.
  • Boosts Confidence: Navigating challenges in math games can enhance a child’s confidence in their mathematical abilities. Such tasks encourage them to take on more complex problems and solve them with confidence.
  • Promotes Social Skills: Group math games promote teamwork, communication, and social interaction among peers. This fosters learning skills that are as important as academic achievements.
  • Aids in Recognizing Patterns: Engaging in math games helps children understand and create patterns. This is a crucial skill for developing mathematical skills that form the basis for more complex concepts in math.

 

8+ Math Games for Kids

Introducing mathematics to preschoolers in a playful and engaging way sets the foundation for a lifelong appreciation and understanding of math. Through games tailored for their developmental stage, young learners can explore fundamental concepts of counting, shapes, measurement, and basic arithmetic. Given below are 10 math games designed specifically for preschool children, each with a unique approach to making math both fun and educational.

 

Counting Treasure Hunt

Children search for hidden number cards around a room or outdoor area. After finding them, they arrange the cards in sequential order. This game enhances number recognition and sequencing skills, foundational for understanding the order of numbers.

 

Shape Sorting

Using various objects or cut-outs, kids sort them into groups based on their shape (circles, squares, triangles, etc.). This activity strengthens shape recognition and classification abilities, critical for geometric understanding.

 

Shape sorting game for kids

 

Measurement Garden

Kids use rulers or non-standard units (like blocks or their own feet) to measure the height or length of plants, toys, or drawn lines. This introduces basic measurement concepts and the idea that objects can be compared and measured.

 

Number Fishing

A fishing game where children use a magnetic pole to ‘catch’ fish with numbers or dots on them. They then either identify the number or count the dots. This game promotes number recognition and counting skills, essential for early arithmetic.

 

Pattern Picnic

Using picnic-themed items (like plastic fruits, cups, and plates), children create and extend patterns (e.g., apple, banana, apple, banana). This activity develops pattern recognition and prediction skills, which are foundational for algebraic thinking.

 

Building Blocks Tower

Children count blocks as they build towers, focusing on creating towers of specific numbers. This encourages kids to counting and practice, thus developing their fine motor skills along with understanding the concepts of quantity of construction. 

Building blocks game for kids

 

Shopping Spree

A role-playing game where children use play money to ‘buy’ items with price tags. This helps them in understanding the concept of value and the basics of addition as they total up their purchases. Shopping spree activity introduces early financial literacy and addition skills.

 

Weight Station

Using a simple balance scale, children compare the weights of various objects, learning about heavy vs. light and the concept of balance. This game is what introduces kids to the basic principles of measurement and comparison. 

 

Hopscotch Math

A traditional game of hopscotch with a twist: numbers are placed in the squares, and children solve simple math problems. This physical activity combines physical activity along with practicing math, thus helping to learn in a fun way.

 

Time Keeper

Using toy clocks or clock puzzles, kids learn to identify different times by setting the clock hands accordingly. With this game you can introduce the concept of time, thus focusing on hours and half-hours, which fosters an understanding of measuring time in early age. 

 

Importance of math games for kids

 

The Power of Play in Learning

Math games for kids in preschool are an invaluable tool in the field of education, which can’t be ignored. By putting together learning and fun, these games are not just helpful in simplifying math but also make them interested in the subject for a long period. The ten games highlighted in this post are just the beginning. The possibilities for integrating math into playful learning are boundless. As kids get to explore, learn and have fun in the process with these games, their foundation is built strong under the concept of mathematics, thus supporting academic success. 

More importantly, with these games kids get to understand that math is not as challenging but instead it is just a world that needs problems for its solutions. The aim is to embrace the power of play in the process of learning. This transforms the way that kids get introduced to the concept of math. When learning is mixed and balanced with play, kids don’t just learn effectively but also develop a lifelong love for learning. 

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GERALDINE DMELLO

 Curriculum Head

Geraldine Dmello is the Curriculum Head and Consultant at Kara 4 Kids.
She has attained her MS ( diploma) in Special Education and a certification in Adult Supervision in Early Childhood Education from the UCLA University.
Her past experiences involves over 30 years of experience in private schools both international and in India.
She has authored poems, conceived books, speaks and consults on the topics related to the whole child development making teaching in the Early Childhood space a reciprocal experience, filled with a vibrancy that creates a powerful sustained shared thinking.
While in the conceptualizing of the curriculum she keeps in mind the importance of honoring a child. Her core belief is in the saying that ” A berry ripens in its own good time and so does a child’s readiness.”

Sandeep U

CFO

Spearheading the finance, Sandeep is a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has close to 10 years of experience in handling finance for various organizations. Having spent his career life in a CA firm, venture capitalist firm, real estate and in the garment industry, Sandeep is keen on implementing his knowledge and expertise at 315WA to fuel the growth that we envision. He’s the true follower of the saying that “None of us are stronger than all of us” which has enabled him in achieving the 315WA’s goal to build a most strong and consistent team. He was a part of setting up and implementing a complex business processes committee across multiple industries/sectors. In his journey at 315WA he made sure that every ₹ spent on each square foot will have a direct and huge impact in every organization’s growth as even the biggest cloud is a large collection of very tiny droplets of water. He is a strong believer of money saved is money earned and is looking forward to starting this fast-paced ship.

Rukmini Padakadla

HR

 Meet Rukmini P, our esteemed Head of Human Resources, bringing in over 15 years of progressive experience in the field. As a seasoned leader, she has demonstrated her prowess in various aspects of Human Resources, including workforce management, recruitment, payroll, and policies/procedures development. Her exceptional expertise lies in sourcing and hiring top-notch talent, ensuring that our team comprises the industry’s best and brightest minds.

With a background in Science and a PG degree in English literature, along with a PG Diploma in Human Resources and Marketing, Rukmini exemplifies a highly skilled professional. Her unwavering commitment to driving our organization’s success through effective HR strategies and practices, particularly focusing on workforce management, sets her apart as a true asset to our team.



Sapna

Strategic Operations – Head

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do” – Steve Jobs

It is this belief that inspired Ms. Sapna Erappa to follow her passion, after a decade’s career in banking and finance. Her journey in Early Childhood Education began in 2010 and ever since she has worked with renowned preschools in Bangalore in various leadership roles over a span of 15 years. She holds a degree in Finance & Marketing and has wide exposure in Early Years Education. She has participated in a number of Early Childhood Conferences and IB workshops. 

In her current role as the Strategic Operations – Head at Kara4Kids, she has worked towards building a strong team, motivating them to ensure top-notch standards are maintained in the schools. She believes that a loving and happy environment not only helps children to learn while having fun but also brings the best out of the teachers. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure plenty of learning opportunities are offered to children to bring out their innate potential. Her goal is to create a balanced learning ecosystem where every stakeholder in the school community takes responsibility for the child’s learning journey. She firmly believes and hopes that the education system of today helps children to develop empathy, compassion, and resilience along with academic excellence.

MANAS MEHROTRA

CHIEF MENTOR

Manas Mehrotra is a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Bachelors of Law, MBA (Entrepreneurship) from Babson College (USA). The Founder of NestaVera Group of companies, Manas has his vision rooted in the core belief that the only thing constant in this dynamic business era is Change. He believes that the ongoing process of Brainstorming, Innovation, and Adaptation to change should always be the heart of any organisation that seeks economic and social success. He drives his workforce with a strong emphasis on inculcating faith and building long term strategic relationships with both clients and employees.

Manas has also played a pivotal role in the success of Greenwood High Schools. The institution has grown many folds with more than 9 National level Awards to its name in last 3 years under his leadership. Under his stewardship & unique approach to education, Greenwood High Schools have unparalleled achievements to their name in moulding the young minds of tomorrow. He believes in combining quality education with a proper blend of traditional values and the best that modern-day technology has to offer.

KHUSHROO RUSTUMJI

CHAIRMAN-EMERITUS

Khushroo Rustumji, an alumnus of IIT is the founder of Kara. Having been the Chairman of two companies listed on the BSE, a subsidiary of a Company listed on the London Stock Exchange and a Consultant to numerous national and international organizations, his tenure of work before establishing Kara spans a myriad of corporate experiences.

With a strong belief in how a good Preschool is the vital ingredient in building a Child’s Foundation, Rustumji and his wife envisioned Kara. Upon returning to India after having spent 21 years in the UK, they decided to establish the first pre-school with international standards in Bangalore, much to the delight of discerning parents here. This is how the tale of kara unravelled years ago under the stewardship of Rustumji.

PRACHI MEHROTRA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Backed by their sheer hard work and talent, women entrepreneurs worldwide are changing the landscape across every industry. One such visionary in the field of early education is Prachi Mehrotra- Executive Director at Kara4kids. She is also the Director at NestaVera Group of Companies.

 After completing her formal education at a boarding school in Mussorie, Prachi moved to the UK to pursue her degree in Management studies at the University of Nottingham post which she returned to India to pursue her MBA in Finance & Marketing. Her enriching experience, exposure, and learning in these pivotal years taught her the art of adapting to different scenarios, pertaining to education, demographics, and cultures.She strongly believes in developing a culture of trust and transparency at the workplace, which will in turn facilitate the construction of an efficient, effective, productive, and valuable organization.

As an achiever of excellence in both academic and extra co- curricular fields, she reckons that curiosity to learn is the spark that should be the driving force of every organization. As a millenial mother to three children herself, she strongly beleives that early learning is where the root of knowledge begins to get founded for an individual, therefore it is imperative that equal importance be showered upon these nascent founding years of our children’s lives. She passionately envisions to create dynamic,explorative, nurturing – learning and childcare spaces where children fall in love with the joy of learning every day.
 As an Executive Director of Kara4Kids, she handles a multi- faceted role across various domains i.e. Operations, Marketing, Teaching Pedagogy, Expansion, Implementation of teaching interventions, and Management of all the preschool and child care centers. Her ever-dynamic approach and exuberance make her an exemplary leader.