Math Preschool

Note:

Although these materials may all be used as early as preschool, most are intended for a rather broad age range and can be used well beyond the preschool years. Also see: Homeschoolstories.com Preschool and Math

An Easy Start in Arithmetic

Book cover: 'An Easy Start in Arithmetic'
Author(s): 
Ruth Beechick
Number of pages: 
28 pages
Copyright: 
1986
Publisher: 
Arrow Press
Binding: 
Stapled Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

I've really enjoyed using Ruth Beechick's suggestions in this little booklet for introducing Mathematics to my young children. I think she does an excellent job of explaining how children learn and understand Math. She also lays out a very natural way of encouraging an interest in Math. This little booklet, which can be read rather quickly, also includes activities for learning Math from Pre-K through 3rd grade! In Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum, Laura Berquist recommends using this book for Kindergarten.

Available in a set called The Three R's that also includes A Home Start in Reading and A Strong Start in Language.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Anno's Counting Book

Book cover: Anno's Counting Book
Author(s): 
Mitsumasa Anno
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1975
ISBN: 
9780590446754
Publisher: 
Harper Trophy
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is a charming Counting Book with a colorful two page spread for each number from zero through twelve. The pictures show the beginnings of a town. For zero, you see a snowy field with a river running through it. The next page has one house built, one snowman, one person skiing, one pine tree, one crow, one dog, etc. Each month another building is added as more people come to the town. Young children, who often enjoy small details in pictures, can find how many things on each page can be counted up to the same number. Some of the details are quite creative, such as the clock on the church showing the appropriate time for the particular page.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-25-2000

Catholic Math Activities

Book cover: 'Catholic Math Activities'
Author(s): 
Mary Ann Grobbel
Number of pages: 
102 pages
Copyright: 
1999
Publisher: 
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Binding: 
Stapled Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

If you're looking for a way to liven up your math program or to bring in some painless math review you have to pick up this book. Catholic Math Activities provides dozens of math games that children actually enjoy playing and almost all of them only require dice and simple home-made material. The author makes use of children's interests by revolving the games around things such as baseball cards and animals. What really pleased me about this program is the clever way our Catholic faith was brought into these games. Some of the games revolve around a short story involving our faith, bible stories (e.g. Noah's Ark and 2 by 2) and simple Catholic sayings to name a few.

I was especially delighted that this book provides games for such a wide range of ages and with a text that is simple enough that an older sibling can read the instructions and then go on to play the game with the younger child. Topping off the program are 40 nicely hand-drawn illustrations of saints. Each saint is accompanied with a short biography and math problems which, when solved, give the child information as to how the picture should be colored. This is definitely a new twist on color by number and one that my children have enjoyed.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-9-01

Little Folks' Number Practice

Book cover: 'Little Folks' Number Practice'
Author(s): 
Nancy Nicholson
Number of pages: 
46 pages
Copyright: 
2002
Publisher: 
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Binding: 
Stapled Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
"A Pre-K to Kindergarten Math Readiness Workbook for Catholic Children."

This simple workbook provides practice for preschool and kindergarten aged children in writing numbers, counting objects and considering religious ideas associated with each number (one God, two natures: human and divine, three Divine Persons, four marks of the Church: One - Holy - Catholic - Apostolic, five Sacred Wounds, etc.). There are three pages each for the numbers one through ten which contain writing lines for handwriting practice of the numbers, related black and white illustrations to color, pictures to circle and count, etc. The remaining pages provide practice in counting sets of things ("circle the correct number" for several pages and "write the correct number" for others). The final eight pages offer simple exercises involving numerical order, more and less, some very basic addition and simple shapes. The pages would have to be read aloud to young children.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Copyrights 1997/2002

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-7-05

My First Number Book

Book cover: 'My First Number Book'
Author(s): 
Marie Heinst
Number of pages: 
48 pages
Copyright: 
1999
Publisher: 
DK Publishing
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
This delightful picture book introduces many math concepts to preschoolers. We have enjoyed working through concepts such as counting, matching, sorting, sets, and sequencing. The illustrated pages make it fun for my son to discover more, less, and equal, addition and subtraction, geometric solids, and more. For example, matching begins with familiar matching pairs such as handprints, shoes, and earrings. Ideas of more or less begin to take shape as the child ponders such questions as, "Are there enough collars for the puppies?" Sometimes your child may surprise you with an unexpected answer; for example, on a page showing five puppies and three doghouses, my son confidently assured me that "each puppy can have its own house." When I asked him how, he said, "The puppies that are brothers share a house." To him, sharing was not incompatible with the idea of being its "own" house. The book also includes a few games. My son's favorite is a simple game involving counting backward or forward according to the roll of the die and directions on specific spaces. Numbers are incorporated into the book in other clever ways; for example, each page number is illustrated by a string of the appropriate number of items. See if your child notices. Near the end is a section of BIG numbers, which all my children have enjoyed. This book does an unusually good job of combining attractive photographs with questions designed to lead the child to discover math concepts.
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
5-5-2009

Wooden Pattern Blocks

Book cover: 'Wooden Pattern Blocks'
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

These beautiful wooden blocks are about 1/8th of an inch thick and come in six different shapes (each shape is a different color).They can be fitted together to make beautiful patterns and designs. We've been using them for many years and they've been a hit with every one of my children. They're fun and beautiful and promote fine-motor skills, eye-hand coordination (intricate patterns can be too frustrating to really young children) and visualization and thinking skills. One way I use them with my kindergarteners is this: the child and I will each start a pattern or design and then switch so that the other one has to finish it. The wooden set has such a nice feel to it - playing with it is so relaxing and peaceful for young children (especially while you're trying to work on academics with older siblings.

Available in various materials, sizes and quantities - we prefer the wooden set.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99