MATH for kids (3-5 year old)

There are certain things in life you wish you had done differently, for me that would-be MATH! I am not good in Math and I wish I learned it better.

I would say introducing MATH to kids (early years) is very important. Math is not just about numbers, it's about reasoning and thinking. If taught in fun way, it will increase their curiosity and liking for Math.

We started with Math concepts when our daughter was about 3 years old. Kids at this age like learning new things and she totally loved it. 

I feel just sitting for some time to teach is kind of boring for kids at this age so it should be in form of play. Here are the few things you can try:

• Pick the toy your kid loves the most and use that to teach counting. We used blocks and stacking toys. We started with 1-5 and moved further as per her comfort and interest.
• Extend it to counting steps of walk, stairs, cars on road, number of times you catch the ball etc. Slowly your kid will think and relate numbers to all objects! 
• Kids love to play with household utensils and that can also be used to teach counting.
• Once comfortable with counting, you can introduce comparison (greater, smaller, equal). Place stack of 3 blocks on one side, stack of 4 on other and discuss which has greater number of blocks. 
• You and your spouse can do jumping/running or skipping and ask your kid to keep a count of it and declare the winner!
• Counting sides of different shapes that your child already knows is also a good activity.
• Introducing addition would be next. Use objects or toys your child loves. Give 4 apples to your kid, ask to give one to mommy and discuss how many are left.  Repeat with different toys and games.
• When we play with blocks, before building, I would just ask my kiddo to segregate the different blocks and count each set. You can try the same. It's fun! 
• Teach counting and adding on fingers. Or mark lines on paper and add. 
• Make it your daily routine play addition games. There would be a time when your kid would be very comfortable to add single digit numbers orally. 
• Introduce to the concept of subtraction once you feel your child is good with addition. Use objects and make it fun.
• Introduce to double digit numbers when your kid is good with single digits. 

Happy Learning!!