Building early math skills is important for children's future school success. Parents can help by making math fun through counting, comparing sizes, and playing games. They should use math words, count objects together, ask comparing questions using "more" and "less", and practice problem solving in daily routines.

1. BUILDING EARLY
MATH SKILLS
Did You Know?
The way parents talk about math
experiences matter. Even if math
wasn’t your favorite subject in school,
you can help your child build a positive
attitude about math by having fun
together as you count, compare sizes,
and play other math games.
Things that shape your child’s
introduction to early numeracy:
Easy Steps Parents Can Take
Building early math skills with young children is very important to their future success
in school. Early math skills include things like counting, patterns, comparing sizes,
and identifying more or less.
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• Making math activities fun. This will
increase your child’s interest and
positive attitude about math.
• Giving your child many chances to
have fun with math. This way, your
child sees himself as being good at
math.
• Using math words that your child
will use in school, such as “add,”
“subtract,” “measure,” “weigh,”
and “equals.”
• Count by touching and numbering
objects one by one with your child.
For example: Count steps as you
walk together.
• Ask your child questions that
encourage her to compare amounts
using the words “more” or “less.”
For example: Who has more on their
plate? Who has less juice in their
cup?
• Practice basic problem solving
during daily routines.
For example: There are
four toys on the floor.
You pick one up. How
many are left?