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Add ‘em Up – Great Toys to Enhance Math Skills

If you’ve been reading the news lately, you might have heard that American children are falling behind the peers in other countries in the subjects of math and science. Cause for concern, definitely. But you can help your child develop his math skills, even before he starts school. There are many toys available that enhance math skills.

Spatial Concepts and Math

You might think of math as addition and subtraction, but there are many math concepts that come into play long before adding. Spatial concepts are important and can be introduced by playing with blocks or stacking and nesting toys. Puzzles are also helpful for spatial development.

Patterns

Patterning is another early math concept. Help your child learn to make patterns with large, multi-colored beads, or cubes of different shapes and sizes.

Number Identification

Learning numbers is obviously important for developing math skills. Plastic, magnetic numbers are great fun, and can be sorted, or used for identification games. There are tons of great number puzzles on the market.

Electronic Toys

V-Tech, LeapFrog and other companies make great toys that include math games. These toys are available for all ages and abilities and can be lots of fun, especially in the car. Make sure to purchase toys that are within your child’s age range. You may think that learning division at age five is great, but he may just become frustrated.

Flash Cards

Math flash cards can be a fun way to spend a quiet, rainy day. You can find everything from traditional addition and subtraction cards, to cards that show quantities and numbers.

Abacus

Look for a children’s wooden abacus at your local toy store. Kids can practice counting, and learn basic math skills. And kids seem to be fascinated by an abacus!

Cash Registers

Toy cash registers are fun for imaginative play and math! Kids like to play grocery store, or restaurant and use play money along with their cash register. They can learn to identify money and its values, and make change.

Board Games

Basic board games introduce kids to counting and math skills. Some board games teach money counting skills. And games also teach good sportsmanship – important for math wizards and everyone else.

Sorting Sets

Sorting sets come in lots of varieties – and when your child learns to sort categories, he’s learning math skills. Kids can also sort or make patterns from other toys, such as Matchbox cars, stuffed animals, or crayons.

Measuring Tools

Kids’ versions of measuring tapes, measuring cups and spoons are available and are great for hands-on learning.

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Short & Simple)

Short sessions of 10-15 minutes are best when working with intensive math toys like flashcards or learning games. Make sure to keep a light, fun tone during the session. If you make it seem to stressful, or like work, kids will shy away from educational games.

Kids learn by playing, and by experiencing the world around them. Make sure you have plenty of quality toys available, and that some of those toys help enhance math skills. Your child will have a great head start…just by playing!

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