It is often easier for toddlers to understand a math concept if they experience it concretely first and if they can connect it to their daily life experiences. I’ve seen this approach work with my kids. Therefore, I try to avoid worksheets when they are little until they have a good grasp of pre-math concepts.
Checklist for your toddler:
- Knows shapes and can identify shapes in his environment.
- Identifies numbers (1 to 10 or more) and understands that numbers are symbols that represent how many. For example: * * * is 3.
- Makes comparisons (ex. fewer or more)
- Understands positions (inside and outside, left and right, left, middle and right, above and below, top and bottom, under)
- Classifies based on attributes (ex. sorting by same color, same size, same texture, etc.)
- Can follow a simple sequence or pattern
- Familiar enough with local currency to identify 25 cents, 1 peso, ten pesos, etc.
- Differentiates between size (long and short, tall and short, light and heavy, holds more or less, wide and narrow)
Ideas for you (videos):
- Learning shapes
- Identifying shapes
- Identifying numbers
- Numbers – one to one correspondence
- Sorting fruit by color
- Writing 1 to 5
- Sequencing, following patterns
Some examples of materials that encourage pre-math skills in our home: (Most of these images are linked. Just click on the image.)
Marbles as counters
Bath numbers and shapes
Magna Tiles
Shapes and Sorting - Turn the Wheel Book
Number Peg Board
Matching Shapes and Colors
Geometric Stacker
Magnetic Numbers
Beginner Pattern Blocks
Helpful Resources:
How to teach position and direction
See also…Essential Pre-writing Skills and Homeschooling the Toddler Years
[...] Essential Pre-math skills [...]