Math is such a wonderful subject yet most of us grow up fearing and eventually hating Math. What is it really that makes Math so feared? Well, for one we seldom relate Math and daily life.
That’s one pain point and a major one. The reason children pick up language — including riddles and tongue twisters — much easily is because it is used in daily communication.
Numbers, the foundation of Math, on the other hand are taught in exclusion, in most cases. And that’s where we make the first mistake. Teaching numbers is really fun and easy if you include it in your day to day activities.
Here are our suggestion for 10 minutes Number Games that will keep your child’s numeracy skills sharp as a razor and bring out a natural love for number:
10-Minute Number Games for Children
1. Snakes and Ladders
This classical board game doubles up as a great number game. It is amazing for Number recognition, subitizing and Counting. For older kids, you can introduce manipulative like addition or subtraction.
Related: Pair these learning games with Fun Indoor Activities for kids.
In fact, it is just an apt way to teach a young child how to identify numbers and add them. For younger children who still cannot read the numbers, it is a great fun way to teach up-down, left-right and build their sense of direction.
And all this number learning takes less than 10 minutes.
Quick Tip: Club these number games with these Educational Fun Math Games For Kindergarten that will add math into play.
2. Shoot the Number
Give the old game of bowling alley a twist by sticking numbers on the bottle. Call out the number and your child has to shoot that particular bottle with the ball.
For older kids, paste bigger numbers and take two dices. Roll the dices and add the numbers. Time Spend: 6-10minutes.
Quick Tip: Math Riddles are a great way to notch up learning and get kids put their knowledge to test. Make sure to add a few in your child’s math routine.
3. Calendar Bingo
Make use of old calendars lying around the house for playing Number Bingo. It is the number game to teach counting and number recognition up to 30. Time Spend: 5-10 minutes.
Make learning math fun with these Math Jokes for Kids that will have everyone laughing out loud!
6. Find the Number
The beauty of Math is that it is all around us. Spark the love for numbers and teach greater/lesser than, before/after while reading your child her favorite story book. Stop on the contents page and ask them to read out the page number of the story they want to read.
As they scroll through the pages to reach the page number, ask them if the particular page number is greater/smaller than the one they are looking for. Time Spend: 6 -10 minutes
Quick Tip: Throw in a few Tongue Twisters in between to keep things interesting. They are excellent brain breaks that will help your kids refocus and learn better!
7. Candy Math
It is an irresistible way to teach sorting, counting and building number sense. Mix the candies lying around the house and ask your child to sort them according to the type.
Later, they have to count the candies of each type and tell you which ones are more/less. Same can be done when you open a pack of Gems/M&Ms/Poppins. Just make sure you and your little one do gobble them all. Time Spend: Under 10minutes.
8. Dice Games
Dice games are work magic with counting, subitizing and basic math operations. Start with one dice and ask your child to identify the dots to build those subitizing skills. Initially they will need to count but gradually they will pick up to subitizing.
As your child progresses, introduce him to dice and ask to add the numbers and write the sum. Time Spend: 6-10minutes.
Quick Tip: Make sure to make room for fun, recharging Brain Breaks to boost learning.
9. Draw 10
Playing cards are the best Math Flashcards lying around in the house. Use them to teach addition by playing a simple game of draw 10.
Each player draws 4 cards out of the deck and the one who make a sum of 10 from his cards, wins the game. Also, use the playing cards to teach them sorting, patterns, number recognition and counting. Time Spend: Under 10 minutes.
Check out more Math Card Games for Kids and make learning math a breeze!
11. Piggy Bank
A treasure trove of numbers, Piggy Bank is a wonderful way to build numeracy skills. Ask your child to identify different denominations, count them and chart them on a paper.
You can take it further by playing a Shopkeeper and selling items. Time Spend: 5-10 minutes.
Playing Number Games is an awesome way to get children interested in math and help them see its relevance in the daily life.
These games not only help children practice their numbers but also take away the fear and boredom associated with numbers. Early years is the time when they need to solidify their number skills to build on them later.
All you need is just 10 minutes everyday.
Also Read: 10 Games That Help Kids Think Critically
