In a problem solving game, you bring up a problem for which the preschoolers must propose an answer. For math class, suitable problems are those relatable to a preschooler’s daily life. Try to include multiple types of math problem-solving skills in the desired answer, but do so implicitly. For example, try telling the children that you have a bag of cookies that you want to distribute among the class. Tell the children how many cookies you have in the bag, and ask them to decide how many cookies each child should get. Elicit a lot of ideas from the children, making sure each hears how the problem-solving process is proceeding.
To encourage children to listen to one another during a problem-solving game, divide them into groups. Present the children with a problem and have each group give an answer as a whole. This type of game allows children to concentrate on communicating and listening to others as opposed to simply the teacher. For one game, tell the children a story problem in which three bears meet seven bears. Have the groups determine how many bears there are in total.
You can combine math class and physical education class for this type of game. In an active mathematics listening game, give commands to the children, having them answer through actions rather than words. For example, you can create hopscotch squares with different geometric shapes inside. Help children familiarize themselves with these shapes through a game in which you shout the shape to which the children should jump.
At the preschool level, children are just starting to become familiar with the concept of money. Help children count money through a game in which they must arrange coins in certain amounts. Provide children with coins (fake coins may be more appropriate for larger classes). State that you want to buy an object that costs a specific amount (for example, “I want to buy a 94-cent box of crayons”) and have children arrange the various denominations of coins into the appropriate amount.