photo credit: Bee Plus

Playing with numbers is just a matter of thinking a bit before doing anything with your child.  Preschool number games can come out of any activity you are doing at the moment.

So, for example, if you are driving down the road you could talk to your son about the red cars you might see.  So tell him, “We are going to count all of the red cars on the way to Grandma’s.”  Or you might pick something else like big trucks.  If Daddy works for a company like UPS or Wal-Mart – count those trucks.

While you are driving, you can point out numbers on speed limit signs.  So now your daughter can hunt for a certain number or numbers.  Ask them to count all of the Exit signs if you are on the freeway.  The ideas are endless, really.

At home, when you are putting toys away, why not count the blocks, 1-2-3 or count the dolls or stuffed animals – same with books or magazines.  Just look for reasons to count all around you.

Since you’re making it a point to doing preschool number games it follows that you are reading to them, too.  So, why not take the opportunity to point out numerals (1, 2, 3, 4,…) and count quantities of things in the stories?  How many chicks are following the hen?  Can you count how many yellow cars are in this picture?

As you can see, inventing preschool number games is only a matter of looking a little deeper into your daily activities as you spend your day with your child.

How do you teach your child?