Children math activities
35 Active Math Games and Activities for Kids Who Love To Move
Tired of hearing groans when you announce it’s time for math? These active math games and activities will spice up your learning game. They get kids up and moving, using their whole bodies to learn facts and skills. Lots of these ideas can be adapted to suit a variety of math concepts, so choose a few to try out with your own math students.
1. Throw snowballs inside or out
Clip flash cards to plastic tubs, then challenge kids to throw the correct number of large white pom-poms (“snowballs”) in from a distance. If there’s snow on the ground, bundle up and take this one outside to use real snowballs!
Learn more: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls
2. Stack sticks to practice tally marks
Small sticks are perfect for practicing tally marks. Kids will have fun checking the ground under trees for twigs, then breaking them into pieces and creating tally piles.
Learn more: @amysam623
3.
Fish for numbersIt’s so easy to make your own magnet fishing pole. Float some numbered foam fish with paper clips attached, then try to catch the numbers in the right order! (Don’t want to get wet? Just lay the fish on the ground instead.)
Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Fishing Math
4. Draw and measure shapes on the sidewalk
First, give kids some sidewalk chalk and let them draw a variety of shapes, as big or small as they like. Then, arm them with measuring tapes and have them practice taking measurements.
Learn more: @playexploregrow
5. Stomp and smash on a number line
Grab some paper bags and number them, then shake them out and lay them in a number line. Now, call out an addition or subtraction problem, like 3 + 2. Have a student stomp on the bag labeled three, then on the next two to arrive at an answer of five. (Feeling brave? Try this one with balloons!)
Learn more: Schooltime Snippets
6. Grow fact-family flowers
Pick up colorful fall leaves and write math facts on them. Gather them around a numbered rock to make pretty flowers.
Learn more: @discoverwildlearning
7. Toss beanbags to learn place value
Label bins with place values like ones, tens, and hundreds. Kids toss beanbags into the bins, then count them and see what number they’ve created.
Learn more: Saddle Up for Second Grade/Place Value Toss
8. Form paper-plate number bonds
Pass out numbered paper plates, then have students mix and mingle to see how many number bonds they can form.
Learn more: The Schroeder Page
9. Create a life-size number line
Number lines are wonderful for all sorts of math games and activities. Make one big enough for kids to stand and jump around on using sidewalk chalk (or painter’s tape indoors). You’ll use it over and over again.
Learn more: Childhood Beckons
10. Hit the target and graph
You can teach graphing in lots of ways, so why not make it active? Students throw balls onto a target, graphing and analyzing their throws as they go.
Learn more: Amy Lemons
11. Head out on a plot graph scavenger hunt
Create a map of your school, playground, or other area using graph paper (or even better, have kids help you do it). Then choose plot points for them to visit to find notes or small prizes. They’ll feel like real treasure hunters!
Learn more: Edventures With Kids
12. Roll the dice to count and move
Get practice with low-number counting and addition using action dice. Write activities like “jump,” “clap,” or “stomp” on a small wooden block, then roll it along with a pair of dice. Kids add them up (or subtract if you prefer) and complete the activity the number of times shown.
Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Math Dice
13. Whack a ball to subtract
You know your elementary math students are going to love this! Build your own whack-a-mole 10-frame with a shoebox and Ping-Pong balls. Then, have kids whack the balls to practice their subtraction facts. So fun!
Learn more: Planning Playtime
14. Make a splash with water balloons
You’re going to need to be willing to get a little wet for this one, but kids simply adore math games (or any games!) with water balloons. Fill and label balloons numbered 1 through 20 (or whatever numbers you’re working on). Draw the numbers in a big circle on the playground. Then, have a student choose a balloon, find the matching number, and head off to make a splash!
Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands
15. Tell time on a giant clock
Draw a giant clock face with hours and minutes on the playground with sidewalk chalk. Choose two students to be the hour and minute hands, then call out a time and send them out to become the clock. Add more complicated elements by having them add to or subtract from the initial time too. (“Now it’s 23 minutes later!”)
Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Sidewalk Chalk Clock
16. Measure your frog jumps
Have your students hop like frogs, leap like gazelles, or jump like kangaroos. Then, pull out the ruler or measuring tape so they can measure the distances they’ve covered.
Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons
17. Jump to math facts practice
Lay out a grid like the one shown that has the answers to whatever set of math flash cards you’re currently working with. (This teacher used masking tape; you could also do sidewalk chalk on the playground.) Two players face off, one on each side of the board. Show the flash card, and kids race to be the first to jump to the correct square with both feet inside the lines. Get all the rules at the link below.
Learn more: Teaching and Tapas
18. Run a flash-card race
Tape a series of flash cards to the floor and challenge kids to see who can correctly make their way from start to finish the fastest. They can call out the answers or write them down, but they have to get it right before they move on. Kids can race side by side or work independently to beat their own best time.
Learn more: There’s Just One Mommy
19.
Catch a math beach ballBeach balls are so much fun in the classroom. Scribble numbers all over one with a Sharpie, then toss it to a student. Wherever their thumbs land, they add (or subtract or multiply) those two numbers together before tossing the ball to the next student.
Learn more: Saddle Up for Second Grade/Beach Ball Math
20. Do a number dance
Kids who love “Dance Dance Revolution” will get into this one. Make a number mat for each student like the ones shown. Flash an equation with an answer between 10 and 99 on the screen. Kids figure out the answer and jump to put their left foot on the correct tens place, right foot on the ones. They’ll be dancing and spinning as they learn!
Learn more: Number Loving
21. Groove with angles
Teach kids about transversals and the angles they create with some fun dance moves! Get the details for “Dance Dance Transversal” at the link below.
Learn more: Communicating Mathematically
22.
Add and subtract by stacking cupsWe’re not sure why, but kids simply love stacking cups. Label yours with math problems and answers, then have kids build pyramids and towers galore!
Learn more: The Kindergarten Smorgasboard
23. Measure the height of a tree (no ladder needed)
Kids will be amazed to learn they can measure the tallest tree while keeping their feet on the ground. The link below walks you through the steps with a free printable.
Learn more: From ABCs to ACTs
24. Count and learn on a nature walk
Take an outdoor stroll and practice basic math along the way. This works indoors too—walk the school hallways (quietly) and count doors, windows, posters, and more.
Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Math Walk
25. Hunt for shapes in the world around you
Looking for super-simple and fun active math games? Give students a sheet with shapes to find as you walk around the school or playground. Each time they find the shape, have them trace it on their worksheet and then make a mark to keep track of how many times they’ve seen it.
Learn more: Hands-On Teaching Ideas
26. Steal the balls with addition robbery
Kids compete to see whose basket of balls will add up to the highest amount. The trick? They don’t know at the beginning which balls are worth the most. Learn how to play at the link below.
Learn more: That After School Life
27. Puddle-jump from number to number
Lay out a series of construction paper puddles labeled with numbers. You can call out numbers and have kids jump to the correct one, or have them jump from one to the next in order forward or backward, or even try some skip counting.
Learn more: NurtureStore
28. Paint and hide number rocks
Painted rocks are always a big hit! Have your class help you make these, then hide them around the playground and send kids off to find and answer equations.
Learn more: The OT Toolbox
29. Skip-count along a hopscotch board
A hopscotch board can be used for a lot of fun and active math games. Try it for skip counting: Kids hop along counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, or whatever you’re currently working on. Learn more at the link below.
Learn more: Math Geek Mama/Skip-Counting Hopscotch
30. Aim and throw to practice math skills
Pick up a set of Sticky Darts and draw two dartboards side by side. You can label the rings with any numbers you like. Kids throw the darts and then add, subtract, multiply, or divide the numbers—your choice!
Learn more: Inspiration Labs
31. Design an outdoor board game
Draw a winding path and fill the spaces with math equations. Kids roll the dice and move from space to space (have them jump, skip, or twirl to mix things up). If they get the answer right, they move to the new space. If not, their turn is over. Customizable math games like this can be used at any level.
Learn more: Look! We’re Learning!
32. Turn UNO into an active math game
Grab your UNO deck and get ready to move! Assign each color a movement (hop, touch toes, etc.). As kids draw the cards, everyone completes the movement the correct number of times. Skip and Reverse work as usual, but anyone who gets Draw Two has to draw two more cards and complete the actions on their own while others cheer them on. See more at the link below.
Learn more: Still Playing School
33. Bowl them over while learning math facts
Active math games using recycled materials are economical and good for the environment. Set up empty plastic bottles labeled 1 through 10, then roll the ball to see how many you can knock down. Add up the numbers of the knocked-over bottles to get your score.
Learn more: Learn With Play at Home
34. Compete to win at putt-putt math
Pick up a few dollar-store supplies and make your own putt-putt course. This can be a simple game where kids simply shoot for the highest (or lowest) number. But you can also drive up the complexity by putting equations on the cups that kids have to solve first to determine which is the best cup to aim for.
Learn more: My Catch a Star Classroom!
35. Give a classic game a math twist
Create active math games that give new life to existing resources. For example, add numbers to Twister! For more advanced players, instead of saying “Right hand 5,” try saying “Right hand 14 – 9” to make them think.
Learn more: Math Geek Mama/Twister Math
If you like these active math games and are looking for more ways to move in the classroom, try these 21 Kinesthetic Reading Activities for your most active learners.
Plus, sign up for our free newsletters to get all the best teaching tips and ideas!
25+ Free Math Games for Kids • Kids Activities Blog
We have a collection of fun activities and interactive math games for children of all ages to give your child practice on important number skills in a playful way. If your kids HATE math, you are not alone. Here are some math games for kids to help them learn to love math one problem at a time.
Let’s play a fun math game!What are Some Fun Math Games?
One of the easiest ways to reinforce a new skill is to practice it hands-on in a fun way. No matter the grade level – 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade or beyond…these cool math games are a fun way to practice what you learn.
That is where this fantastic list of fun math games comes in. There is something for everyone!
1. Fun Math Games Using Uno Flip Deck of Cards (Kindergarten & 1st grade)
Why use math worksheets when you can use game cards to review math skills! Check out how this mom plays and learns using the classic game, Uno. This Uno Flip game recommended for ages 5 and up creates simple math problems your child will need to solve! You could easily do this for addiction, subtraction, multiplication, or even division. via Childhood 101
2. Skip Counting Worksheets (1st grade, 2nd grade & 3rd grade)
Skip counting is one of the pre-requisites for a solid foundation in math skills that kids usually start learning around the age of 6 years old. Help your kids understand patterns in numbers with these skip counting worksheets and one of the best math games that you can create on the driveway or front porch with chalk…oh, and getting the correct answer is easy and fun!
3. Fraction Games (Intro: grade 1 & grade 2; 3rd grade and 4th grade)
Do your kids LOVE games, but hate fractions? Ours do! Practice and review fractions with the game Connect 4. This is one of my favorite fraction games because it is simple, but help familiarizes children with fractions, which generally are kind of difficult to learn. Kids are introduced to fractions in grade 1 and 2 and by grade 3 and 4 they are diving deep into learning fractions. via No Time for Flash Cards
4.
Fun And Easy Math Games For Kids (all grades)Have a Math white board – I love this idea for a class opening activity! Kids race to see how many ways they can combine numbers to make the answer. It is great for multiple levels of learning and is a simple, but fun, math games for kids that don’t require worksheets. This game works really well for older students with more advanced math concepts like grades 3-grade 7, but it could be modified to be used with younger students as young as preschool. via Fun Games 4 Learning
Oh the fun we will have playing puzzle games with math!5. Video: Math Maze Game (1st grade)
Mazes are a great way to keep your child independently focused on math. Not only does it double as a STEM activity, but this Maze activity can also teach your child about size, geometry and speed.
6. Money Math Worksheets (Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade)
Money math – so easy to create a math money review lesson. All you need is a random handful of coins, a slip of paper with a total your kids need to reach and a jar of change. Then use these money math worksheets to help keep up with all the coins and their worth! Kids learning to count money and add their worth are perfect for this simple worksheet game.
7. Lego Math (Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade)
This Lego math is awesome! You can use Legos and toys to help explain the concepts of place value. Each row on the Lego math mat is a different place value whether it is ones, tens, or more via The Science Kiddo proving math skills is play! In fact, the concepts of place value can be comprehended by even younger kids like preschoolers when introduced through play.
This is so smart!Online Math Games Online (All grades)
Screen time isn’t always a bad thing. Your kids can learn while they play, on the iPad or android device with some of these Math Apps for Kids. There are so many different math apps for all ages!
Kids Math Games with Just a Pencil and Paper
These fun paper and pencil math games go WAY beyond math worksheets. Here are some free printable math games kids will love playing:
8. Expanded Form Dice Game (4th Grade)
You will need some scissors, glue and a pencil to play this expanded form dice game.
9. Math Crossword Puzzles (Kindergarten, 1st Grade)
Download, print & play these math crossword puzzles for addition and subtraction practice fun.
10. Abominable Snowball Math Equation Game (Grades K-3)
Abominable Snowball Math Equation Game uses printable worksheets and sparkly snow playdough to play!
11. Addition Color by Number Pages (Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade)
Let’s play with addition equations with these color by number pages:
- Unicorn addition worksheets
- Day of the Dead addition worksheets
- Shark addition worksheets
- Baby Shark easy math worksheets
12.
Subtraction Color by Number Pages (Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade)Let’s play with subtraction equations with these color by number pages:
- Unicorn subtraction math worksheets
- Day of the Dead subtraction worksheets
- Halloween subtraction color by number worksheets
Math Games for Kids
You should not only know what you are doing. You should also know why and how.
-Harry Wong
13. Multiplication Graph (2nd and 3rd grade)
You can literally see in 3D how multiplication and powers work and grow rapidly with 3D graphing. This is another fun Lego math activity, but this one will require quite a few more small Legos. via Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
14. Marshmallow Shapes (Intro: Pre-K, preschool, Kindergarten; Geometry learning for older students)
Who says you can’t play with your food? These marshmallow shapes are perfect for kiddos who struggle with corners versus verticals. They will understand quickly the importance of corners when they are made of marshmallows! Edible geometry! via Playdough to Plato
15. Fun Math Games For Kids (5th grade)
Play a math game with your whole body – great interaction for antsy kiddos while also learning about place values. There are a couple different fun math games for kids to choose from, but both will have your children entertained. via Two Sisters to Teach
16. Fun Mathematics For Kids (Pre-K, Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade)
Is skip counting “just a concept” to your kids? Help them see how multiplication works by skip counting with manipulatives. Don’t worry, these math games aren’t difficult, most of them involve sorting! via One Day at a Time
17. Times Table Tricks (2nd grade, 3rd grade & 4th grade)
Did you know there are times table tricks to improve the swiftness of math skills? Here is a trick to multiply the nines. Find the answer by folding down different fingers. This would have made multiplication so much easier when I was in school! via Come Together Kids
Oh so many fun interactive math games and so little time!18. Hundreds Chart Puzzle (Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade)
Skip Counting puzzles are a great way to learn about the hundreds chart and number families/patterns. All you need are these free math worksheets, cardstock, and plastic baggies to create this hundreds chart puzzle. via Playdough to Plato
19. Types Of Graphs For Kids (5th grade, 6th grade)
This one will take a little effort to make, but your child can make a math journal more interactive by adding Pop-up bar graphs. Kids remember things they create and this is a great way to teach types of graphs for kids. via Runde’s Room
20. Number Flashcards (5th grade, 6th grade)
These number flashcards are perfect to teach any kid to count! Not only do they have the number written in numeral form, but also word form, and has different geometric shapes depicting the quantity! Perfect for reinforcing each number. via All Kids Network (Pre-K, Preschool, Kindergarten)
21. Math Puzzles For Middle School Kids (Grades 3-7)
This Craft Stick Math Station idea is awesome! It’s math puzzles for middle school kids. Each stick matches another. Make a chain from the problems. You could easily do the same for kids in elementary school or even use it to teach algebra and geometry to high school kids.
22. Paper Fortune Teller Math Game (1st Grade, 2nd Grade & 3rd Grade)
Review math facts with this paper fortune teller math game. Great game for learning multiplication facts or even matching fractions and checking your work.
I love playing with math!Fun Math for Kids Who Get Frustrated With Math
23. Food Fractions (Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade & 3rd grade)
Food fractions is a great way to learn math! I am definitely more motivated when food is involved! Cut up your lunch and learn about fractions and amounts at the same time! Older kids will catch on to this immediately and younger kids will play along while they learn.
24. Tenzi (Grades 2-5)
Tenzi the Math Dice Game is dice game that is addictive! You can adapt it for a wide range of kids learning levels. Best part is, it is simple to play and is great for multiple players 7 years and up! via What Do We Do All Day
25. Math Dice Games (All Grades)
Go big! Create a dice from a large cube box. Dice can be used in so many learning activities like quickly counting sums or subtracting! You could easily use these large dice for bigger kids learning multiplication as well. via Parents
26. Jenga Games For The Classroom (All Grades)
Looking for Jenga games for the classroom? Then this block game is perfect because it is super adaptable. Use it for Speed Math Review. Don’t worry, you don’t have to write on the blocks, instead use stickers so you can swap them out when needed. via The First Grade Parade
27. Math Using Hands (Pre-K, Preschool & Kindergarten)
Make hands for counting! That sounds super odd, but bare with me. You can learn math using hands. If you have a kiddo who needs just a little extra help understanding the concept of twenty or numbers after ten? Try this! It is an extra pair of hands to count on! via J Daniel 4s Mom
28. Fun Math For Kids (Pre-K, Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade and adapted for older kids)
Have a number of the day – this is great for homeschooling families with multiple age groups and also for classroom bell openers. via Well Nurtured Plants and Pillars
29. Math Sight Word Play (Kindergarten, 1st grade & 2nd grade)
Did you know there are math sight words? Make word problems easier for your kids to solve with word cards for them to memorize the common words.
30. More Lego Math (Pre-K, Kindergarten)
Pre-math skills – Symmetry. It is a great way to develop spatial awareness. You make one half and your child makes the other half. Plus, it is another fun Lego math project, learning math concepts with toys makes it much more fun I think. via Fun at Home with Kids
31. Coordinate Math (Grades 2-6)
Play the game Gridlock to help your kids learn graphing principles. They will literally be able to see the graphs and the lines. This is one of my favorite math activities for kids. via Mathwire
32. Number Line (Pre-K, Preschool, Kindergarten)
Number lines are a great way for kids to see the order that numbers occur. You can make your own number line. Remove clothespins and ask your kids what the missing number is. via Fantastic Fun and Learning
33. Multiplication Songs (Pre-K through Grade 3)
Skip counting songs! It is our kids favorite way to learn their times tables. Here are the BEST math songs, including fun multiplication songs. These are the cutest! via Imagination Soup
How Can I Learn Math Games?
If you do one of these activities every afternoon with your child, they will not only catch up to their peers and become more confident learners, they just might also discover a love of logic!
Using games to improve basic math skills is a great learning strategy for kids. Many math concepts require memorization, math drills and repeated practice to master. Kids can lose interest in the process and their ability to grasp later math concepts that build on this important foundation can cause serious scholastic issues.
Nearly any math activity can be turned into a game when you look at it and see how you can include a little friendly competition! Whether it is turning a worksheet into something kids can play with hands-on, creating a guessing game instead of a drill, having kids compete against each other or adding a timer so kids can compete against themselves.
Free Math Games
Not everyone learns the same and unfortunately math is one of those things you either really get it or don’t. And if you’re one of the ones who don’t catch on to math skills right away, it can be frustrating.
More Math Games & Printable Worksheets from Kids Activities Blog
- Check out these 10 Fun Math Games for Kids! I am your kids will love them.
- Looking for some Super Fun Math Games? We got you covered.
- Make math delicious with this Fraction Game: Cookie Math! Cookies make everything better.
- Need some math worksheets? Then check out these FREE Printable Math Activities.
- We have over 100 fun math games and activities to choose from.
more fun!
- Science for Kids
- Fun Fact of the Day
- Learning activities for 3 year olds
Which of the math games and interactive activities was your kids favorite? Did we miss any of your favorite ways to teach math basic skills and mental arithmetic to kids in a playful way?
Development of children's mathematical abilities through play activities
Children's play is the main activity in preschool age. In the preschool period, the child's motivation to acquire new knowledge is still not very active, and this is quite natural. But children take play activities seriously, completely immersing themselves in the process for a long time. They try to follow the established rules and strive to achieve the desired result with all their might. This feature of the psychology of preschoolers can be used for learning by presenting educational tasks as games.
What mathematical knowledge can a preschooler get in a playful way
Playing activities at the age of 3-6 years are varied, so an experienced specialist gives all the mathematical knowledge and skills necessary for a future first grader. In a playful way, the child will master forward and backward counting, learn numbers and learn how to write them, understand the meaning of addition and subtraction and learn how to solve problems using these actions. The curriculum for preschoolers includes an introduction to geometric shapes, the concepts of area and volume. Solving mathematical and logical problems develops the child's mental abilities. He learns to understand the meaning of the task, analyze it, draw up a solution plan and look for non-standard ways of doing it.
The development of children's mathematical abilities through play activities has the following advantages:
- kids are willing to work, do tasks;
- does not cause fatigue and loss of concentration, which is observed during normal activities;
- the learning process causes positive emotions, which awakens the desire for further mastery of knowledge;
- the mathematical abilities of children are formed, the general outlook develops, speech, coordination of movements, fine motor skills of the hands improve.
When learning in a playful way, abilities are developed in other areas: communication skills are developed, since children perform some tasks together, helping each other, exchanging thoughts. Joint tasks give rest and ensure the development of speed of thinking, coordination of movements, the ability to act in a team
The development of mathematical abilities helps to learn about the world and achieve success
The formation of elementary mathematical representations of abilities at preschool age is important for general development. The ability to understand and evaluate the quantitative characteristics of objects and phenomena makes knowledge about the world around us more complete and deep.
Mathematics requires logical thinking, but not template solutions, therefore it allows developing creativity. Well-developed spatial thinking will be useful for future artists and architects, and the ability to think logically and find beautiful solutions will be useful for future managers, advertising and marketing specialists. It does not matter what type of activity the child chooses - the ability to think clearly, see the task and divide it into components will help him succeed, facilitate the study of all school disciplines.
Learning in a playful way
A playing form of learning does not cause difficulties and fatigue for the child, but for the teacher such an activity is more difficult than the traditional presentation of material. It is necessary to organize the educational process in such a way that:
- game tasks arouse interest in children;
- motor and cognitive games (aimed at developing higher mental functions) were selected in the optimal proportion for a specific age group - only in this case, preschoolers will not feel tired at the end of the lesson;
- all types of memory (visual, auditory, associative, mechanical) were involved, which will ensure fast and long-term memorization;
- preschoolers learned to solve problems using certain algorithms and developed creative, spatial and mathematical thinking.
Homeschooling or preparatory courses
Many parents prefer to take care of their child on their own, including offering educational games. Today on the Internet you can find a lot of information on the development of children, detailed descriptions of methods and exercises that provide mathematical knowledge and develop thinking. Such training is very useful, but training with a professional is more effective. It is not enough just to read the recommendations - you need a lot of practical experience and knowledge in the field of pedagogy and psychology, which allow you to objectively assess the level of its development. If there are problems in learning, you can not blame the preschooler for laziness and unwillingness to learn. It is useful to undergo neuropsychological diagnostics, which will identify the causes of the difficulties that have arisen, and then sign up for a course of correctional and developmental classes.
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See also
The development of logical thinking in preschoolers Smart, but absent-minded or: What is school absent-mindedness and how to “treat” it The development of logical thinking in children Correction of handwriting in schoolchildren Development of interhemispheric interaction in children Development of higher mental functions in children Development of mathematical abilities Development of mathematical thinking Preparing children for math at school Literates Lefties are special kids Long awaited winter holidays How to deal with the third quarter The development of logical thinking in children from 5 to 7 years Summer: one on one with a hyperactive child Summer: one on one with a child. How to quickly learn the multiplication table. Psychologist consultations for parentsMathematics education in the preschool educational institution
Mathematical education in the preschool educational institution.
Modern approaches to the formation of the foundations of the mathematical culture of preschoolers.
The entry of children into the world of mathematics begins already in preschool childhood. Mathematics is a universal method of cognition of the surrounding and objective world, and its role in modern science is constantly growing. Changes in conceptual approaches to determining the content and choice of methods for teaching mathematics at school, the widespread use of modern educational technologies have also determined the requirements for the mathematical preparation of preschool children.
Today "mathematics is more than a science, it is a language". The study of mathematics improves the culture of thinking, teaches children to reason logically, educates them in the accuracy of their statements.
Mathematical knowledge and skills are necessary for the successful adaptation of the child to the processes of social communication, informatization and technologization of society. They broaden the horizons of the child. Mathematical culture is an integral part of the general culture of the individual, and in the period of preschool childhood it has its own characteristics associated with the age and individual capabilities of children.Traditionally, there are four lines in the content of mathematical education for preschool children: arithmetic, algebraic, geometric and magnitude. Today, taking into account the renewal of the content of preschool education, a fifth content line is added - algorithmic (schemes, models, algorithms). The use of information in a symbolized form contributes to the development of the ability to act mentally, develops logical and creative thinking, and imagination.
The adoption of the Federal State Educational Standard of preschool education will require the need to provide, as a prerequisite, the possibility of self-realization of the child at all stages of work on mathematical development in the preschool education system.
Mathematical material should be revealed during excursions, acquaintance with literary works and small forms of folklore, games with natural material (water, sand, beans, peas, cereals), through game exercises with sensory standards, household items, constructive and didactic games , in problem situations. All these forms vary according to age.
During their stay in kindergarten, a graduate must learn to apply mathematical knowledge and ideas in practical activities that are significant for him: play, children's experimentation, design, work, art and visual.
And as a result of self-realization, the child will develop learning motivation. Thus, the priority tasks of continuous education of children will be solved.
The concept of mathematical education in the Russian Federation
The importance of mathematical education is evidenced by the adoption of the Concept for the Development of Mathematical Education in the Russian Federation (December 24, 2013 (No.
2506 - p)), which is a system of views on the basic principles, goals, tasks and main directions of development of mathematical education in the Russian Federation.Goals of the Concept:
to bring Russian mathematical education to a leading position in the world.
Mathematics in Russia should become an advanced and attractive field of knowledge and activity, the acquisition of mathematical knowledge should be a conscious and internally motivated process
Modernization of the content of curricula for mathematical education at all levels (with ensuring their continuity) based on the needs of students and the needs of society in general mathematical literacy, in specialists of various profiles and levels of mathematical training, in high achievements in science and practice;
Ensuring that there are no gaps in basic knowledge for each student, forming among the participants of educational relations the attitude "there are no children incapable of mathematics", ensuring confidence in an honest and adequate state final certification for the tasks of education, providing teachers with diagnostic tools (including automated ones) and overcoming individual difficulties;
Ensuring the availability of publicly available information resources necessary for the implementation of curricula for mathematical education, including in electronic format, tools for the activities of students and teachers, the use of modern technologies in the educational process;
Improving the quality of the work of mathematics teachers (from pedagogical workers of general education organizations to scientific and pedagogical workers of educational institutions of higher education), strengthening the mechanisms for their material and social support, providing them with the opportunity to refer to the best examples of Russian and world mathematical education, the achievements of pedagogical science and modern educational technologies, the creation and implementation of their own pedagogical approaches and copyright programs;
Support for leaders in mathematics education (organizations and individual teachers and scientists, as well as structures formed around leaders), identifying new active leaders;
Providing highly motivated students with outstanding mathematical abilities with all the conditions for the development and application of these abilities;
Popularization of mathematical knowledge and mathematical education.
Basic provisions for the implementation of the concept
Every citizen of Russia, regardless of age, has the right to free mathematical education, taking into account his professional orientation and individual intellectual needs. The system of mathematical education provides equal starting opportunities and takes into account the already achieved level at each stage.
Mathematics education is carried out in educational institutions of preschool, basic, vocational and additional education, higher educational institutions, in the family, in the form of self-education, as well as in the form of public educational associations. Responsibility for the results of mathematical education of a citizen of the Russian Federation is jointly borne by the state, parents and the citizen himself.
The main customer of mass general mathematical education is society. The state forms this order at all levels, based on the needs of industry and business, the country's research base, healthcare, public administration and education institutions, and provides support, including funding for this order.