FOR THE GROWN-UPS BEHIND THE LITTLE EXPLORERS

Numbers & math

Numbers & math. Practical activities for children ages 3–8: letters, counting, shapes, colors, science, and social learning, with examples and tips for parents.

Ideas to try together

All articles Letters & reading Numbers & math Shapes & spatial thinking Colors & creativity Science & discovery Feelings & social learning Family learning routines Age & stage guides Materials & format comparisons Activity shortlists & rankings

One-to-One Counting with Snack-Time Supplies

One-to-One Counting with Snack-Time Supplies

Count snack-time objects one at a time, connect the last number word to the total, and check skipped or repeated items.

Understanding Zero with an Empty Basket

Understanding Zero with an Empty Basket

Explore zero as a count using an empty basket, visible changes to a collection, numeral cards, and comparisons with one and more.

Recognizing Numerals through a Parking Game

Recognizing Numerals through a Parking Game

Match numeral cards to parking spaces, connect each symbol with a quantity, and check common mix-ups with visible examples.

Comparing More and Fewer without Guessing by Size

Comparing More and Fewer without Guessing by Size

Compare two collections by matching or counting their objects, even when one group uses larger pieces or takes up more space.

Making Five in Different Ways

Making Five in Different Ways

Explore the parts of five with two groups of objects, record each combination, and check that the total remains five.

Making Ten with a Homemade Ten-Frame

Making Ten with a Homemade Ten-Frame

Build a ten-frame, fill it with counters, and explore the pairs of numbers that make ten using visual and written checks.

Addition Stories with Toy Animals

Addition Stories with Toy Animals

Act out addition stories with toy animals, connect the groups and total to an equation, and check what changes when a story changes.

Subtraction as Taking Away with Paper Leaves

Subtraction as Taking Away with Paper Leaves

Model subtraction by removing paper leaves, counting what remains, and matching each part of the story to a number sentence.

Counting On from a Known Number

Counting On from a Known Number

Practice counting on from a known quantity when objects are added, with concrete checks, common errors, and variations.

Number Lines Made from Floor Tiles

Number Lines Made from Floor Tiles

Build a floor number line with evenly spaced labels, use steps to model small changes, and distinguish positions from intervals.

Skip Counting by Twos with Paired Socks

Skip Counting by Twos with Paired Socks

Count pairs of socks by twos, connect each number to a complete pair, and check totals when a sock is left over.

Skip Counting by Fives with Hand Outlines

Skip Counting by Fives with Hand Outlines

Count groups of five with hand outlines, check each group, and distinguish the number of outlines from the number of represented fingers.

Tens and Ones with Bundled Paper Strips

Tens and Ones with Bundled Paper Strips

Bundle ten paper strips as one ten, represent two-digit numbers with tens and ones, and exchange a bundle without changing the total.

Teen Numbers as Ten and Some More

Teen Numbers as Ten and Some More

Build numbers from eleven to nineteen as ten and additional ones, connect the model to numerals, and check common mix-ups.

Ordering Numbers from Smallest to Largest

Ordering Numbers from Smallest to Largest

Order a small set of numbers from least to greatest using objects, a number line, and checks for common ordering errors.

Finding a Missing Number in a Counting Path

Finding a Missing Number in a Counting Path

Find and check a missing number in a counting path by identifying the step rule and comparing both neighboring positions.

Equal Sharing with Crayons

Equal Sharing with Crayons

Share crayons equally among recipients, check each share, and explore what a leftover means under an explicit rule.

Fair Does Not Always Mean Equal: A Math Conversation

Fair Does Not Always Mean Equal: A Math Conversation

Compare equal counts with context-dependent ideas of fairness using concrete sharing examples and questions children can discuss.

Odd and Even with Partners

Odd and Even with Partners

Pair objects to investigate odd and even counts, check a leftover, and connect the result to addition and number patterns.

Doubles Facts with Matching Towers

Doubles Facts with Matching Towers

Build matching towers to model doubles, count the whole, and connect equal groups to addition equations.

Near Doubles through One Extra Block

Near Doubles through One Extra Block

Use a known double and one extra block to model near doubles, explain the adjustment, and check the resulting sum.

Comparing Two-Digit Numbers with Place-Value Models

Comparing Two-Digit Numbers with Place-Value Models

Compare two-digit numbers by modeling tens and ones, checking the tens first, and comparing ones when the tens match.

Measuring Length with Equal Paper Clips

Measuring Length with Equal Paper Clips

Measure a straight length with equal paper clips placed end to end, record the unit, and compare results without gaps or overlaps.

Reading Whole Hours on a Homemade Clock

Reading Whole Hours on a Homemade Clock

Make a paper clock and read whole-hour times by checking the minute hand at 12 and the hour hand at the named hour.