Has anyone got any ideas on maths games for 4-5 year old children that can be used in the classroom?

Question

Designed to assist in the development of an understanding of concepts of shape or number.

Answer 1

http://eiu.edu/~cfsjy/mts/_link.htm

The shapes are in the sensorial album.  The numbers are in the math album.

Matt

Answer 2

I'll just copy and paste a few ideas that I've collected through the years.  If you care to email me I can email you more if you are interested.  

"Jump Cards":  Use to reinforce colors, shapes, numbers, alphabet recognition, etc. Find plenty of cardboard squares to use. For example to make "Shape Jump Cards" - you will need to make all different kinds of shapes on construction paper - cut and glue each shape onto it's own cardstock square. Laminate. On other cardstock squares draw a stick figure person to look like he is jumping. When completed - shuffle all cardboard squares together - the children sit in a circle (on the floor or in a chair) and the teacher uses these as flash cards. The children call out the shapes as they are shown but when they come to the "Jump Guy" - they can jump up out of their chair. All of my children throughout the years have loved this activity. It keeps their attention focused on the cards - and they just can not wait to JUMP!! Use this idea to make color cards, alphabet cards, number cards, name recognition cards, etc  ( I made mine on the computer-used various objects that were definately a main shape...printed and cut the cards out.  They get much use.)

Jump ‘n’ Dial:  Create 9x12 inch numeral (black on white like the phone).  Use the number 0 though 9.  Arrange the number on the floor to resemble the layout of a telephone keypad.  Invite the children to take turns jumping from one square to another in the sequence of his phone number.  Have him call out the numbers as he jumps.  Memorizing a phone number has never been so much fun.

Stack a Tower:  Create cards with numbers/dots to be reviewed.  Place cards with about 15 blocks.  Have the children count the dots on the card and create towers with the same number of blocks.  Create as many towers as they can with that number.

• Place cards in block area.

Counting Box:  Cover a shoebox with colorful covering and die-cut numbers.  Each day, put a number of theme-related items inside the box.  For example, you might put in candy corn pieces at Halloween or bear counters for a bear theme.  During circle time, ask a child to shake the box and guess what might be inside.  Then have him open the box, reveal the contents to the class, and then count the items.

Simon Says:  Teacher is Simon and gives the children directions using numbers.  Count together as the children follow the orders that Simon gives them.

“Simon says, ‘Hop up and down 3 times.’”

“Simon says, ‘Slowly clap 6 times.’ ‘Quickly.’”

“Simon says, ‘Twirl your arms 4 times.’”

“Simon says, ‘Nod your head side to side 10 times.’”

•Instead of the children sitting down when “out”, have them repeat the action correctly and then join the group again.

Hokey Pokey Numbers: A neat way to teach number recognition is to use the words to the Hokey Pokey song.  An example would be: Have four children stand up during Group Time and give them the "number 4" to hold out in front of them.  (You can print the number on a large index card in advance.)  Then sing......You put your number 4 in, you take your number 4 out, you......you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around.  That's what it's all about.  The kids love playing this game.   You can do the same thing with other numbers as well as with shapes and letters.

Beanbags Galore:  Teaching: Shapes, number names, colors  Cut from cardboard ten shapes (triangles, circles, squares, rectangles) and color the shapes different colors with magic marker and number them 1-10.  The object of this game is to have the child try to toss a beanbag and make it land on a cardboard shape. In the beginning, the child would be asked to name only the color. Later on, after the child is comfortable with colors, shapes and then number names may be added.

Erase a Number:  Write numbers all over a chalkboard including many 5s.  Show the children a number five that has been written on a sheet of paper.  Talk about the shape.  Point to several of the number 5s on the chalkboard.  Then allow the children to erase the number five.  

•Have the children erase all the numbers but five.

•Have the children use chalk to practice writing their own fives on the board.