Operations

THINK - MATH

With your support, preschoolers are developing their ability to add, subtract, and fairly share quantities

At A Glance

Preschoolers use their developing operations skills every day! For example, when they figure out how many more crackers they need to have five for snack. Or when they share a set of cars with a friend so they each have the same number. These early operations skills set the foundation for more complex math later! We can support operations skills by modeling addition and subtraction, and encouraging children to practice sharing, adding, and taking away.

What It Looks Like

A quick glance at ways you can help preschoolers develop operation skills

Support Adding

Math moments can happen anywhere using anything at all, especially fingers! Notice how this educator takes a moment to highlight that two and two make four when a child uses this strategy to answer the question, “How many?”

Prompt Children to Subtract

Call attention to subtraction while playing games or building. Notice how this educator encourages the children to subtract by taking away one cup from their towers.

Model Sharing Fairly

Show children how you can equally deal out objects. Once the objects are distributed, this educator supports the idea that sharing fairly means each set has the same amount.

SUPPORTING MATH SKILLS THROUGH BOOKS

Caps for Sale

Written and illustrated by Esphyr Slobodkina, this classic tale of a peddler and his colorful caps gives open-ended opportunities to try adding and splitting up different amounts.

SUPPORTING MATH SKILLS THROUGH BOOKS

Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum

Written by Natasha Yim and illustrated by Violet Kim, this story shows how three siblings figure out a way to evenly share their delicious Chinese dim sum lunch.