Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten: Part 3

Written By: Barbie Jones, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood

Developing Math Foundations

Math readiness involves more than counting—it's about recognizing patterns, understanding

quantities, and developing spatial awareness. These everyday activities build mathematical

thinking:

Count Everything

Count steps as you climb stairs, apple slices during snack time, or cars in the parking lot. This reinforces number sequence and helps your child understand that numbers represent quantities.

Sort and Classify

Sorting laundry, organizing toys by color or size, or categorizing groceries develops logical thinking. Ask your child, "How are these items the same? How are they different?"

Explore Shapes and Spatial Relationships

Point out shapes in your environment: "The stop sign is an octagon." Use position words like "above," "below," "besides," and "between" to describe where objects are located.

Play With Patterns

Create simple patterns with blocks, beads, or even food items: "Red grape, green grape, red grape—what comes next?" Pattern recognition is a fundamental mathematical skill that prepares children for more complex concepts.

Math learning happens naturally through play and daily activities. When you incorporate mathematical language and concepts into everyday experiences, you are building a strong foundation for kindergarten math success.