Math lives all around us. It is in everything we see and play. Something that I still remember from "teacher school" is that there are no games in the world that doesn't involve math (and if you can think of one, let me know). So, for this blog post, I will be sharing some math games that will help your child learn how to count from 1 to 10 while developing their 1-to-1 correspondence skills (super important).
Preparation
Most of these games involve these simple materials:
Dice
Two different markers (e.g. bingo chips, loose parts)
Playing cards
If you want, you can also make cardboard number cards, which will probably last longer if your child plays with these math games frequently. All you need are scrap cardboard, a boxcutter, and a thick marker / sharpie.
Games
Counting to 10
This is self-explanatory. Simply use the cardboard cards or playing cards (use A - 10), and lay them out in order for your child to count. Make sure they are pointing to the card as they say the number. This is very important for developing their one-to-one correspondence skills!
Extension: Give your child the cards and have them lay them out in order.
Extension: Give your child one card at a time - randomly - and have them put it in order.
Counting Up
Roll the dice and find the card that it matches with. Then find the next three cards.
Adaptation: Instead of finding the next three cards, your child can find the card before and after it.
Extension: Skip by 2's to find the next three cards.
Count Your Rolls
Roll the dice and whichever number it lands on, find the corresponding card and put a marker on it. At the end, tally up how many markers are on each card.
Adaptation: Assign roles depending on the skill level (e.g. Dice Thrower, Card Finder, Marker Placer).
Extension: Use two dice and add them up, then place a marker on that card (may need to create/use bigger numbered cards).
Extension: Use two dice and whoever has the bigger number gets to put a marker on that card.
Build the Number
Use loose parts to build the number. Make sure to stress that they use their finger to count to help develop their 1-to-1 correspondence skill!
Adaptation: Give your child a certain amount of loose parts, have them count it, then place it on the corresponding card.
Extension: Cut out strips of paper and have your child re-create numbers using the paper.
Collect the Number
Lay out cards on a table and have your child collect objects from around the house and put them on top of the corresponding number.
Adaptation: Model counting with 1-to-1 correspondence, then hold your child's finger and do the same thing.
Extension: Arrange the numbers randomly instead of in order.
Extension: Have your child collect objects using certain colour schemes (e.g. only collect things that are shades of blue) or themes (e.g. toys only or only things found in nature).
What Math Do You See?
Go on a walk around the house or a nature walk and point out any math that they see (e.g. numbers, shapes, groupings, patterns, etc.).
Adaptation: Play "Eye Spy" where you find something related to math and give hints to your child so they can find it too.
Splat!
Pre-count the markers and put them down. Have your child take a quick look before covering them up with your hand, then ask them "how many?".
Adaptation: Arrange the markers so that it matches how the number is shown on a dice.
Adaptation: Give them time to count the counters before covering them up.
Adaptation: Cover only half or a bit of the markers.
Extension: Have the markers already covered along with some that are not, then tell your child how many there are in total and they have to figure out the number of markers that are covered.
Random Dots
Similar to Splat!, but an electronic version. Click here to download.
Post It!
For this game, you will need an additional material: sticky notes/post-it notes. Have your child walk around the house with a couple sticky notes and a pencil, and whenever they see a group of something, have them count it, then write the number on a sticky note and stick it on those objects.
For example, if they open the cutlery drawer and see forks, have them count how many forks there are and write the number down, then put the sticky note on top of the forks.
Adaptation: Pre-write the numbers for your child.
Extension: Take away or add objects and have your child figure out the new total, then write the new number on the sticky note.
Number Hunt
Divide a paper into 10 boxes and write a number from 1-10 in each box. Have your child walk around the house and find things that are in groups of 1, 2, 3, etc. and draw them in the box.
Adaptation: Pre-setup the objects in different places around the house and give hints to your child so they can find it.
Adaptation: Write the amount of objects on a piece of paper and put it by the objects. Have your child check with their own paper to find the matching number before drawing the objects.
Extension: Scatter the same objects nearby each other and have your child count up how many there are, then draw them in the appropriate numbered box.
This blog post will be updated regularly, so check back often for more simple and fun counting to 10 math game ideas! If you are looking for math games that you can play outside, check out this blog post. If you have any ideas on how to make these games even more fun or you just want to share games that you've played before, share them below in the comments!
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