Math Everywhere!
Playful math for children ages 2 to 5 and their adults!
Math is about numbers, shapes, sizes, and patterns. These ideas are all around us, and they are fun! Children ages 2-5 naturally explore math as they play. Counting steps, sorting toys, or dancing to music help them explore math ideas in playful ways.
- Audience
- CaregiverEducator
- Subject
- Math
- Age
- KindergartenPre-KPreschoolToddler
- Languages
- Brazilian PortugueseEnglishHaitian CreoleSimplified ChineseSpanish
Resources in the Math Everywhere! collection
CaregiverActivity1, 2, 3!
Numbers and counting help us understand ideas like amounts and sizes. When your child says “one, two, three” while touching three blocks, it helps them see that numbers have meaning. This early practice makes it easier for children to learn other math ideas, like adding, subtracting, and measuring.
CaregiverActivitySame and Different
Matching and sorting are key skills that help children learn how things are the same or different. Children might sort and match by color, size, shape, or what things are used for. When they do this, they are learning to compare items, understand groups, notice patterns, and organize information—all important ideas in early math and problem-solving.
CaregiverActivityCircles, Squares, and More!
Shapes are everywhere! Some shapes have names—like circle, square, or triangle. Some shapes don’t have names—like the puddles on the ground or the outline of a favorite toy. Children naturally experience shapes when fitting blocks together, sitting in a circle at story time, or trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Exploring shapes helps them observe, compare, and interact with the world around them.
CaregiverActivityPutting Together, Taking Apart
Adding and subtracting happens every day! It’s not just about equations like “1 + 1 = 2.” Young children learn about math by exploring how amounts change—like putting more colors onto their painting (addition) and giving a block from their pile to a friend (subtracting). As children explore putting together and taking apart groups of objects, they practice basic skills that help them get ready for the math they will learn in school.
CaregiverActivityBig, Small, and in Between
Young children learn about measuring before they ever use rulers or scales. They practice these skills by pouring water, stacking blocks, or filling containers. Children use their senses and simple tools to explore size, weight, length, temperature, and more. They notice if something is big or small, heavy or light, long or short, or more or less.
CaregiverActivityUp, Down, and Around
When children crawl under a table, fit toys in a box, or figure out how to get through a narrow path, they are thinking about how to move through or fill up a certain space. Moments like these support spatial thinking—how we understand where objects are and how they move or fit together.
EducatorGuideMath Everywhere – Playgroup Guide
You can use or adapt this playgroup structure to maximize playful learning about early math during your playgroup. Be sure to also visit the Math Everywhere collection to download the accompanying Family Activity Sheets. This playgroup guide includes:
Playful math
Early math for young children is not about memorizing or knowing the right answer. It’s about being curious, asking questions, and trying things out. When adults notice and respond to children’s ideas and ways of thinking, it builds confidence—and that’s an important first step toward developing positive feelings around math!
Play is how young children learn best. Singing number songs, playing store, or building with blocks helps them understand math in fun ways. By playing with math, children grow as thinkers and problem-solvers, helping them be ready for the math they learn in school.
For Caregivers
Tips for supporting your child in early math
Math is all around us—even if we don’t always notice it.
Practice and repeat!
Don’t quiz—just explore together.
Not confident with math? You’re not alone.
For Educators
Download the Playgroup Guide
Looking to provide early math playgroups based on the Math Everywhere resource? Download this guide for educators!
What’s included in this guide? This outline offers general tips on leading playgroups focused on early math with 2 to 5 year-olds and their caregivers, as well as some specific ideas for each of the six Math Everywhere sessions. Please feel free to adapt the materials and ideas in the ways that work best for you and your families.
Important! You will also need the six Math Everywhere Family Activity Sheets to facilitate this playgroup.
Download the Activity Sheets
The Math Everywhere Family Activity Sheets include unique opportunities to launch and expand on early math experiences with young children!
About this Collection
Playful math
Early math for young children is not about memorizing or knowing the right answer. It’s about being curious, asking questions, and trying things out. When adults notice and respond to children’s ideas and ways of thinking, it builds confidence—and that’s an important first step toward developing positive feelings around math!
Play is how young children learn best. Singing number songs, playing store, or building with blocks helps them understand math in fun ways. By playing with math, children grow as thinkers and problem-solvers, helping them be ready for the math they learn in school.
For Caregivers
Tips for supporting your child in early math
Math is all around us—even if we don’t always notice it.
Practice and repeat!
Don’t quiz—just explore together.
Not confident with math? You’re not alone.
For Educators
Download the Playgroup Guide
Looking to provide early math playgroups based on the Math Everywhere resource? Download this guide for educators!
What’s included in this guide? This outline offers general tips on leading playgroups focused on early math with 2 to 5 year-olds and their caregivers, as well as some specific ideas for each of the six Math Everywhere sessions. Please feel free to adapt the materials and ideas in the ways that work best for you and your families.
Important! You will also need the six Math Everywhere Family Activity Sheets to facilitate this playgroup.
Download the Activity Sheets
The Math Everywhere Family Activity Sheets include unique opportunities to launch and expand on early math experiences with young children!
Math Everywhere! Collection: 7 items
Resources in the Math Everywhere! collection
CaregiverActivity1, 2, 3!
Numbers and counting help us understand ideas like amounts and sizes. When your child says “one, two, three” while touching three blocks, it helps them see that numbers have meaning. This early practice makes it easier for children to learn other math ideas, like adding, subtracting, and measuring.
CaregiverActivitySame and Different
Matching and sorting are key skills that help children learn how things are the same or different. Children might sort and match by color, size, shape, or what things are used for. When they do this, they are learning to compare items, understand groups, notice patterns, and organize information—all important ideas in early math and problem-solving.
CaregiverActivityCircles, Squares, and More!
Shapes are everywhere! Some shapes have names—like circle, square, or triangle. Some shapes don’t have names—like the puddles on the ground or the outline of a favorite toy. Children naturally experience shapes when fitting blocks together, sitting in a circle at story time, or trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Exploring shapes helps them observe, compare, and interact with the world around them.
CaregiverActivityPutting Together, Taking Apart
Adding and subtracting happens every day! It’s not just about equations like “1 + 1 = 2.” Young children learn about math by exploring how amounts change—like putting more colors onto their painting (addition) and giving a block from their pile to a friend (subtracting). As children explore putting together and taking apart groups of objects, they practice basic skills that help them get ready for the math they will learn in school.
CaregiverActivityBig, Small, and in Between
Young children learn about measuring before they ever use rulers or scales. They practice these skills by pouring water, stacking blocks, or filling containers. Children use their senses and simple tools to explore size, weight, length, temperature, and more. They notice if something is big or small, heavy or light, long or short, or more or less.
CaregiverActivityUp, Down, and Around
When children crawl under a table, fit toys in a box, or figure out how to get through a narrow path, they are thinking about how to move through or fill up a certain space. Moments like these support spatial thinking—how we understand where objects are and how they move or fit together.
EducatorGuideMath Everywhere – Playgroup Guide
You can use or adapt this playgroup structure to maximize playful learning about early math during your playgroup. Be sure to also visit the Math Everywhere collection to download the accompanying Family Activity Sheets. This playgroup guide includes: