Numbers and operations is the contemporary way of saying arithmetic. This area includes the teaching students the number system; the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; and how to compute problems on paper, with calculators and in their heads. Games in this area should focus on basic number relations and computations. One example of such a game is "Larger, Smaller." You can play this game with an ordinary pack of poker cards. Deal out all the cards to the students so that every student has an equal number of cards. The students must stack the cards face-down. Each turn, all students turn over the first card on their stacks. Whoever has the card with the highest value keeps the cards of the other players. Continue playing until the students have shown all the cards in their stacks. Encourage students to read the numbers aloud and state which is the largest each turn.
Though rigorous algebra is not in the coursework of a young elementary student, the concepts of algebra permeate through entry-level mathematics. To introduce algebra to students of a young age, you only need to show the children a situation and ask them to locate the missing part -- be it a number, color or shape. Algebra games geared toward learners from kindergarten to third grade should introduce patterns and encourage the children to recognize them. A simple game of this sort is to demonstrate rhythm patterns, which may involve clapping, stomping or patting body parts. Do this in a certain rhythm until the children can follow along. When they have discovered the rhythm, the children can state the pattern to you and then create their own rhythms for the rest of the class to follow.
Geometry is the study of shapes. For young children, this is an easy study to begin. Games in this category should involve recognizing, describing or classifying shapes as well as using coordinate systems such as maps. The popular game of "Connect Four" is one example of a game that will help students understand coordinate systems. Add the additional rule that the children must state where they are putting their pieces in coordinate form (for example, B3 or C5) on their turns.
Students begin learning concepts of length, weight, time and other forms of measurement in kindergarten. There are many games that can help students put their knowledge of measurement into use. One example of a game that can strengthen a student's concept of length is a game of stacking objects. Ask students to stack objects in the room and then estimate the height of their stacks. Then, measure the stacks with the students. The student who is closest to her measurement wins this game.