Kindergarten is such an exciting year of growth! As a kindergarten teacher I am always asked the same question by parents, “How do I prepare my child for kindergarten?” In preparing your young child for kindergarten, you know how important a good start in early elementary education is. So ease the transition with these 5 math activities to help prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten!
1. Magnetic Fish Game
Learning can be so much fun with this number recognition fishing activity! This magnetic fishing game is perfect for number recognition and counting. I used Elmer's Painter® Markers to draw dots onto the base of each fish, and I used a permanent marker on the fin to write the number that corresponds with the number of dots on each fish. 
I decided to make two different levels for this activity. On one side of the fish are the numbers 1-8, and on the other side of the fish are the numbers 9-16. This allows children to work there way up to the harder numbers.
2. Bobbing Ducks - Number Recognition
What's better than bobbing for ducks on a hot, summer day? This activity is a great way to focus on number recognition and counting. Fill an inflatable palm tree pool cooler with water. Add 1, 2, 3 numbers rubber duckies from Oriental Trading to the cooler. Have your child bob for a duck, identify the number, and count up to that number. 
Add a twist to the activity by placing these free printable exercise cards [link to PDF activity file] in a pocket dice. Have your child roll the dice, identify the exercise activity, and participate in the exercise activity.
3. Counting Mats - Fine Motor, Number Recognition, & Counting
These counting mats are a great way to improve fine motor skills as children mold and manipulate the dough to match the number on the card. These mats are a great way to reinforce number recognition and counting. 
These counting mats are kid-approved!
4. The Frog Hop - Subitizing Numbers
This frog hop activity is a great way to focus on subitizing. Subitizing is the ability to 'see' a small amount of objects and know how many there are without counting. Have your child roll the large inflatable dice, identify the number, and hop to the corresponding number on the star spot markers. I used an Elmer's Painter® Marker to draw dots on one side of the star spot markers and numbers on the other side. 
Mix it up by arranging the star spot markers out of order. This will require your child to see the amount of dots on the markers and know how many there are without counting.
5. Ten Frame - Stamp It!
This ten frame activity is great for developing students' subitizing skills, the ability to "instantly see how many". This skill plays a fundamental role in the development of students' understanding of numbers. Use the ten frame stamp and the giant color stamp pad set to stamp a ten frame onto the free ten frame printable worksheet. Click “download template” button under the materials list to get the free printable. Have your child pick any number 1-10, and use any of the bright dilly dot markers to show that number of counters in the ten frame. 
All of the math activities demonstrated are perfect for keeping your child active this summer while learning concepts to better prepare them for a successful kindergarten year! Be sure to check out these 5 fun and engaging reading activities to prepare your child for kindergarten HERE.
