How to Engage Your Toddler with Math, Without Leaving Home
I remember making up my own math activities and science experiments from a young age, but what did I do when I was 2? 3? How do you even engage a toddler in something as concrete as math? Without a classroom full of supplies? Without leaving the house? Without tearing your hair out?
A friend of mine asked for ideas for activities to engage a toddler with math. Her toddler was used to participating in daycare lessons all day and was quickly growing bored of the same toys and books at home every day. This one’s for you and your little one, S!
The trick is creating discussion around activities they already like to do or need to do. Sometimes, it can even make boring chores, like putting away toys, more fun!
This is a photo of my 2.5-year old playing golf. Golf? What does golf have to do with math?
How to Engage Your Toddler with Math, Without Leaving Home
Counting: By the age of 2, my daughter had learned to count to 10. However, I realized very quickly she didn’t know what these numbers meant. She could pick out one or two items, but any more than that, and she had no idea how to determine how many there were. When I say “counting”, I mean assigning a different number to each object in a set, rather than reciting a list of numbers without understanding them. These activities can help your toddler develop an understanding of counting objects, beyond memorizing a list of numbers. All activities should be done safely.
Counting stairs
Each time you go up stairs, count them.
Each time you go up stairs, assign a number. Have your toddler start first and wait for you on the correct number step.
Counting objects
Have your toddler count toys or other child-friendly objects.
Have your toddler arrange objects into groups of a certain number.
Have your toddler line up stuffed animals or dolls and give each one the same number of objects.
Have your toddler count Lego blocks or other toys as they are put away. Assign a number of blocks to put away, then once those are done, assign another number.
Counting physical activity
Count up to 10 while jumping, stepping, or clapping for each number.
Assign a number. Have your toddler do the correct number of jumps, steps, or claps.
Play golf! Grab a broom or a ball, or any objects that can serve as a stick and puck. Set up a series of goals. Write down the number of hits it takes to get to each goal.
Shapes: My 2.5-year old can recognize a hexagon. I don’t know why or how she developed this ability, but it means she is capable of pretty advanced shape-recognition. I learned from Sesame Street that there are shapes everywhere, we just have to find them! These activities will help your toddler learn to identify shapes in everyday life. All activities should be done safely.
Shapes on paper
Depending on their ability, have your toddler trace, draw, or color in shapes. Review the names of the shapes as they work.
Cut shapes of different sizes and colors out of construction paper. Have your toddler sort the shapes or use them to make pictures.
Draw irregular shapes and have your toddler sort them by number of sides.
Shapes in the world
Hold a cutout of a shape against a flashlight and have your toddler identify it by its shadow.
Play I Spy: pick an object and describe it by its shape, by saying “I spy a [shape]”. Have your toddler identify the object.
Go around the house and make a list of all objects you find that are circles. The next day, find all objects that are squares. Each day, pick a different shape to find.