Foundational Math Topics
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Tagged as: Games
Great Games for Early Math Development
Playing games is an engaging, developmentally appropriate way to support children's mathematical learning.
Games are motivating. They provide meaningful contexts for children to apply mathematical ideas and skills while reducing the fear of failure and error, since children can always play again.
One of the most powerful things we have done in our classroom to help children enjoy math is to play math games. Because playing 'memory' with dot cards is fun, kids want to do this on their own, and I have seen their fluency with number composition—the idea that four can be one and three or two and two—increase.
Games can increase children's access to mathematics. Most games have few language barriers. And, children operating at different levels of thinking can play together and learn from each other.
Another benefit of math games is how they can build home/school connections when families are encouraged to play games at home. Share the fun today!
Browse our collection of resources tagged as GAMES.
Series: Focus on Collaboration
School Event Engages Families in Early Math Learning
June 19, 2019
Families play a fundamental role in shaping children's interest and skills in math. Schools can help connect the math that exists both in and out of school and nurture families' positive relationship to math.
Series: Focus on Play April 29, 2019
A New Focus for Familiar Card Games
Here you can download cards and simple-to-learn game ideas to help young children build their understanding of early math concepts such as cardinality and composing and comparing numbers.
- Topic: Number Sense
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Dot cards, Equivalence, Games, Subitizing
Series: Focus on Play September 26, 2018
The Match ‘Em All Game
This bingo-like game allows children to think about numbers in different ways. It focuses children on the attribute of quantity of small sets and helps them build a more robust number sense.
- Topic: Number Sense
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Dice, Games, Subitizing
Series: Focus on Play September 25, 2018
The Hoop Game
This game played with a hula hoop and bean bags demonstrates all the math that can be explored with a simple tossing game. Each round gives children practice seeing and naming smaller parts of a total number in a variety of ways.
- Topic: Number Sense
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Games, Subitizing
Series: Hear from the Experts June 22, 2018
Instructional Tools to Integrate Language and Math Concepts with Halla Jmourko
Halla Jmourko discusses two innovative instructional tools for integrating language and math concepts in the classroom, The Cubing Game and Three Way Tie.
- Age/Grade Level: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, Kindergarten
- Tags Games
Series: Focus on Play July 25, 2017
A Race to Ten, Both Fun and Mathematical
Creating grid games from classroom materials can be a great opportunity for fun and mathematical discussions involving small sets.
- Topic: Counting, Number Sense
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Games, Subitizing
Series: Focus on Play July 25, 2017
A Grid Game: The Math in Ten
Grid games can be some of the earliest experiences children have with board games. And they can be both fun and mathematical.
- Topic: Counting, Number Sense
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Games, Subitizing
Series: Hear from the Experts March 26, 2017
Tangram Puzzles: Make One For Your Kids
Instructor Lisa Ginet explains how to make tangram puzzles, an ancient Chinese game made from seven shapes cut from a square. Over 6500 different arrangements can be made from these seven simple shapes!
- Topic: Shape, Spatial Relationships
- Age/Grade Level: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Games
Series: Focus on Play August 25, 2016
Matching Cards Game in PreK
A quick matching game with dot cards is a fun way for preschoolers to practice recognizing small sets without counting.
- Topic: Number Sense
- Age/Grade Level: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Dot cards, Games, Subitizing
Series: About the Collaborative May 11, 2016
Collaborative Travels to Canada to Share Early Math Games and Activities
The sessions included an overview of foundational math concepts as well as hands-on early math games and activities for the classroom.
- Age/Grade Level: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags English Language Learner, Games
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