How do you teach addition and subtraction to a preschooler (5 or 6 year old).?

Question

What are some creative ways? And just some general creative ways to teach a preschooler. I'll be homeschooling mine this summer so he won't just sit around and bum.

Answer 1

trying using cherios or another snack he likes,, shom  what adding means by adding more or subtracting some,,let him eat these ones  more fun that way..good luck

Answer 2

Here's the best online math resource for this age I have seen:

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

Hope this helps!

Matt

Answer 3

Visual aids are the best at this age. Use colored Popsicles sticks  (or anything she can touch) so she can see 2+2=4. Let her help put away groceries. Here put these 2 apples away. Now put these 2 oranges away. Now count how many pieces of fruit you put away for mom. Playing board games can help and interacts you and your child.

Answer 4

Use pennies/coins, playing cards, toys, all their shoes, or articles of clothing, things they understand.

Group, take away and add, let them count.

Answer 5

use anything that your child can count, use toys, block or even this little computer toys for children that have math subject. You can also use colorful small balls to count, or any colorful thing that they can count..

My son 5yrs old already know number we count everyday some of his toys or any colorful things and he has this computer toys that he can add and subtract in the computer and play their..

Answer 6

songs -five green speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log stopped to eat some most delicious bugs - one jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool - now there are ___ green speckled frogs. ribbit ribbit

Answer 7

Dont think this is crazy but find something that your child likes and use it in the educational setting. I taught my 4yr old to add and subtract using crayons, blocks and m&m's.

Answer 8

Try the Learning Palette system from Usborne Books.  This product is non-electronic and self-correcting, so kids love it!  It's more like a game than work.  See the whole series at http://www.ubah.com/g2687

My son will be using it this summer for reading and letters - he starts Kindergarten in the fall, and he loves it!

Answer 9

Visual aides. Apples, candy, anything that can be counted and provides a visual interpretation of "math".

Answer 10

In kindergarten we refer to addition as joining and subtraction as separating.  Do not introduce these concepts with the + and  = signs and do not have students memorize formulas.  The first thing they need to understand is that when you have a number of items and then join them with other items the ending number will be larger.

Have students act it out: Two frogs are sitting on a log.  Two more swim up and hop on.  How many are on the log now?

Use manipulatives and tell joining stories: I have 6 marbles.  My brother gave me two more for my birthday.  No how many do I have?

Answer 11

Role play: A shop scene where he is the shopkeeper...he has to add up the things you've bought (can be 1p-10p) then you give him pretend money and he figures out change.

Interests: Look at what he enjoys and make into a game eg-football-play a game and he has to keep score of how many goals you both have-set a limit like 5 goals-you can ask regularly "how many more do i need to score?" etc.

Cooking: ingredients -need 3 eggs-is there enough in box-count as cracking them...but 2 in how many more u need etc.

Puzzle books-dot to dot, number games...

Make numbers from sparkly paper, using playdough, sand in a tray which can use finger to make marks in it-makes the look of sums more interesting.

Playing with bricks=how tall can you build it? which tower is bigger? how many more bricks do we need for them to be the same etc.

Answer 12

Wow!  Some good ideas for you!  Hands on is the best!  Stay away from flashcards if you can at this age.  When he is more adept then using flaschards to help with speed/memorization is just fine.

My 5 year old is really getting into addition and subtraction.  I have many manipulatives that get used regularily...and you can use just about anything in your house...even go on a hunt out side and find rocks about the same size...it's even more fun to wash and paint them.  :-)    I like erasers, I've ordered a large amount from Oriental Trading but have also found them at the Dollar stores with about 20 in a pack.  Icecream cones, stars, ladybugs, etc.  Anything and everything.  Allow him to make the problems.  I find very interesting results when I ask my son, how many ways can you make ____ (any number).  He uses the manipultives to create sets and writes them down in addition and subtraction format.  I usually have him write down his sets on thematic stationary...preferably to coincide with the manipulative.  Using a dry erase/chalkboard is nice...and washable markers on a sliding glass door/window is a nice change as well.  

Another idea...have him decorate a cup.  Place 2 dice inside.  Shake and dump.  Have him use the two numbers in a math story.  Provide manipulative for hands on.

If you search online for this I'm sure you'll come up with many an idea...I did for my sister.  Also, check and see if your local library carries The Mailbox Magazine...they have Preschool, Kindergarten, and Primary I believe.  Awesome ideas and without much expense to them.

Answer 13

Sit him down and ask him how many cookies he has in front of him. He will say none. Next put six cookies in front of him and ask him the same question again. He will say 6. Tell him that this is called addition. Now take 3 of the cookies away and ask him how many cookies he has in front of him. He will say 3. Tell him this is called subtraction. Once he has grasped this concept your on your way to Calculus. Good luck  BOB

Answer 14

You could use just about aything to teach him. Like m & m's , blocks, legos,little erasers,beans,counters, ect...  Just make sure you make it fun! That's the key. I loved this age.

Answer 15

you do it with snack time give 5 of something and have them eat one and have them count that - repeat until gone

I use to play the money match exchange game - I give you a nickel and you give me 5 pennies - I give you a dime and you give me 10  pennies - you will have to help allot in the beginning but they will catch on fast

The most important concept to teach them is the

0-10

1-9

2-8

3-7

4-6

5-5

6-4

7-3

8-2

9-1

10-0

then math makes sense - make sure that they can tell time on an analog clock too.