THINK - MATH
Early Math for Infants
Introduce infants to our mathematical world through books and everyday experiences
At A Glance
Infants are using early math skills even when we don’t realize it! They might ask for more snacks or sort adults by familiar and unfamiliar. We do not need to “teach math” to infants. Rather, math can be part of our everyday interactions and experiences. We can support early math skills by using number and measurement words. We can also label shapes, where things are in space, and object characteristics.
What It Looks Like
A quick glance at ways you can help infants develop early math skills
Encourage Children to Sort
Offer materials that infants can use to sort objects, like this educator does with a shape-sorting box. This gives infants an opportunity to explore shapes as they engage in trial and error.
Use Measurement Words
Label Where Things Are in Space
Make spatial awareness concrete and visible for infants. Notice how this educator repeats the position word “down” to draw attention to the way the child and their toy are moving.
SUPPORTING MATH SKILLS THROUGH BOOKS
Exploring Math With Infants
Sharing books with infants that include mathematical concepts, such as shapes, numbers, and patterns, can set the stage for later math learning. Here are six books that let you explore math with infants in a fun and engaging way.
Activity Cards for Infant Classrooms
Part of the STREAMin3 curriculum, these activity cards provide simple and fun ways to support early math skills
Clean Up Hunt!
Get creative while cleaning up as children hunt for objects based on different characteristics.
Pretend Play Measurement
Join children during pretend play and point out different measurable characteristics.
Shapes in Books
Encourage children to go through a maze and try different paths to get from one side to another.
Get Our Resource Guide
Includes questions and activities to guide your use of the videos, book suggestions, and activity cards featured for each of the Core Skills
