Manipulatives include any concrete objects that students can use to demonstrate a math concept. These can include counters, geoboards, lacing beads or anything else that children can physically touch and manipulate. Preschool students should be introduced to manipulatives prior to the lesson activity. They should be given at least a week or two to explore the manipulatives.
Proper math vocabulary should always be used when introducing math activities to your preschool students. The Kindergarten Lessons website has lists of appropriate vocabulary words. Literature is one way to introduce math vocabulary to your students before introducing a new activity. The Children's Picture Books website offers several suggestions for all different math concepts.
When introducing math activities to your preschool students, apply the concepts to their real life experiences. When children understand why the math concept is important to their lives, they will be more interested in learning and immersing themselves in the activity. For example, when teaching sorting, you can talk about how they have to keep their toys separated. Explain that when they want to play with a certain toy, it will be easier to find it if they toys are sorted.
It is important to remember that all kids learn at a different pace. In preschool, the differences in your students' abilities might seem drastic. One student might still be learning to count objects while another student is adding and subtracting. This is completely normal. The most effective activities allow all students, regardless of academic level, to get involved.