Kindergarten Math Concepts

Preschoolers learn math in everyday activities. Several concepts form the basis of all preschooler’s math learning. Sorting, patterning, ordering, counting, and number recognition are all basic concepts. Let’s discuss each of these concepts.

Sorting

Sorting is categorizing a group of objects into groupings of similar features. The feature might be color, shape, size or anything else the objects have in common. Your preschooler is learning the concepts of same and different. Separating blocks by color is a good example of sorting.

Patterning

Patterning is simply making a configuration and repeating it more than once. The preschooler learns first to identify that there is a pattern. As they become more knowledgeable, the preschooler will predict what comes next in the pattern. Using our block example, we would make a pattern with a red block, blue block, red block, blue block. A preschooler nearing kindergarten should be able to predict that in this pattern, the next block will be a red block.

The concept of ordering means classifying items in a set. A preschooler might place different size trucks from smallest to largest or lightest color to darkest color. Again, the older preschooler will be able to identify the concepts of degree, such as most to least and less or more.

Counting

Counting as a concept is more complex. Counting can take the form of rote counting or of object counting. Rote counting is simply memorizing the numbers in the correct order. Many two year olds start to rote count to five. Usually, preschoolers learn to rote count prior to object counting. Object counting is the ability to look at a group of items and physically count how many items are in the group. Preschoolers able to object count can identify the total of the objects in a group.

Number recognition occurs when a preschooler can label a roman numeral with the proper name. A preschooler nearing kindergarten may know the number and associate it with the same amount of items in a group. For example, a preschooler is able to take the number 2 on a piece of paper and place two blocks next to the number when it is requested.

Preschoolers begin to recognize these concepts as things that occur naturally in daily life. As parents of preschoolers, you can learn to pay close attention to the math skills you teach unintentionally. Sort clothes together. Arrange the cans in your cupboard from largest to smallest. Point out the numbers that you see on street signs. Count leaves, flowers, or rocks. These activities are developing your preschooler’s logic skills and will allow them to be successful math students as they enter kindergarten.