How to Help Children in Kindergarten Count
Children in kindergarten learn best by doing. Hands-on activities in all areas of instruction help the new concepts and ideas sink into their memory banks, so when they must recall how to perform a certain task, it will be easy. When teaching them mathematical rules, such as addition, it is best to give them tangible objects to assist with the learning process, instead of a piece of paper with numbers and symbols.
Instructions
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Pass out a small paper cup to each student. Ask the class how many paper cups they have on their desk. After the class collectively says, "one," write "1 paper cup" on the board and ask the students to put the cup in the center of their desks.
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Take out a large bag of chocolate-coated candy. Explain to the class that the candy may not be eaten until directed to do so. Then walk around the class and pour 10 pieces of candy inside every cup. You can put 10 pieces of candy into each cup ahead of time, then pass out the cups with the candy, if desired.
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Write a number on the board. For example, write a large, easy-to-read "3" on the one side of the board. Then ask everyone in the class to take out three pieces of candy and put them on the desk. Then write a "7" on the other side of the board. Ask the class to leave the three pieces of candy on the desk and take out seven more.
The students will find that the cup is empty. Write a plus sign between the 3 and 7 and an equals sign after the 7. Then ask the class to count the number of candy on the desk and call on a student to give the answer. Once the student says "10," write it after the equals sign on the board and ask the class, "What is 3 plus 7?"
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Use the candies for a variety of number combinations, including putting candy back into the cup. At the end of the exercise, ask them to count out five candies to eat. Once they indulge in the well-earned reward, ask them one more time to count the number of candy remaining.
After the class collectively comes up with five, allow them to eat the remaining candy and, as a fun ending, ask how many candies are left. This will usually get a giggle from the group, as the answer is zero.
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