Math Readiness

Every new parent hears from many people the benefits of reading to their child. As a Reading Specialist, I cannot stress enough the benefit of reading.
I don't recall anyone telling me to practice Math with my children on a daily basis. However, I have read several articles stressing the importance of Math, just like Reading. As schools shift their focus back to Math, children need to be doing "math readiness" just like they have been preparing for reading. We have been working with Jared every night at bedtime. We had noticed that his math skills were not at the same level as his Reading. It has been challenging to come up with math things to do. So, in an effort to help others, I am sharing some of our "math readiness" ideas.

1. Number cards for number identification. We started with 1-10. After those are automatic, keep adding in more numbers.
2. Estimation bag. We have a bag that is filled with very random items (q-tips, dominos, cars, & pasta). First estimate and then count to see.
4. Dice that have more than 6 sides. We roll the nice and count out that many number using small objects.
5. Chutes and Ladders. Number identification and counting. Perfect. To include more numbers can pull number cards instead of using the spinner. Gets you counting more than 6 and speeds up the game.
6. Memory. Matching indirectly builds those math skills.
7. Measuring. Use a ruler to measure. Measure to nearest inch. Can build in estimating too.
8. Skip counting. Count by twos/10s/5s
9. Days of the week and months of the year. Lots of cute songs make this easy.
10. Money! Kids love it. Money identification.
11. Clock. Melissa and Doug makes great wooden Clock. Start with focusing on the hour hand.
12 Puzzeles. Again, indirectly builds math skills.
13. Number writing. Can use something like a mega doodle to write numbers.  Or turn out the lights and use a flashlight on the ceiling.  

14. War.  Great way to teach less and more.