Preschool Leaf Math

I am so excited to share our Preschool Leaf Math learning time.  This post will show six ways you can use leaves to learn simple math concepts.
Making a preschool math set up can be as simple as setting up nature for play and learning.  Setting out this simple invitation to learn is a wonderful, open ended way for children explore mathematics concepts.

I sent my son out to find 10 leaves in our backyard.  Then, I made little dots on each one with a permanent marker.  It is important to keep two rows of five, so children will learn this important number set.  Learning five and memorizing the way it looks (and sounds, as in counting by fives!) is an important concept to reinforce!

Here are six very inexpensive ways you can use leaves to match and learn number correspondence.

First, write numbers on simple wooden discs to match.  Start slow, with only numbers 1 – 5 and then work up as your child masters the beginning math concepts.

Here is my son placing his numbers on the leaves!

Next, you can write numbers on acorns and match with your leaves. Or just find some rocks in your back yard to match with your leaves! You could also write the numbers on simple wooden clothespins.  This version provides work with the pincer grasp for children. And here, we placed our leaves on our Montessori sandpaper cards.

And lastly, you could write numbers on the leaves, and have your child place beans or small rocks on the leaf to represent that number.  Give your child only one leaf at a time, and then gradually move to having them work with 2 or 3 or 5 leaves!  You will find that they love working with these tiny, natural objects!

More:

Preschool math with counting bears

Reggio inspired preschool math

Preschool math with playdough 

Our Reggio-inspired math table

Fun with Preschool Math

 

What open ended math have you tried with your child?