"Round the Clock" can be used not only to improve counting in math for preschool children, but also as an effective game for use in learning to tell time. In this game, students take turns rolling a pair of dice, hoping to throw a one. Students who roll a one in the first round continue to round two, where they aim to roll a two. Students who did not roll a one in the first round can continue to round two, but they cannot move on in the game until they have rolled a one. The rounds continue with players trying to roll a three, four, five and so on through rounds three, four and five. The first player to roll a 12 and move all the way around the clock wins the game.
Games of luck that rely on the use of dice can be quite effective when it comes to teaching counting. "Pig" is a great example of one of these counting game that can be played by even the youngest students. In the game, players throw a single die over and over, adding their score after each throw. Students can throw the die as many times as they wish, however if they throw a one their score is wiped out for that round and the die is passed to the next player. Whoever reaches a score of 50 or greater wins the game.
"Fifty" is another game of luck that can be effective at teaching counting in math to preschool children. In this game, two players take turns rolling a pair of dice, with the goal of throwing doubles. Players score five points if they throw a pair of ones, two, fours or fives, and 25 points if they throw a pair of sixes. Players who throw a pair of threes will see their score go back down to zero. The player who scores 50 points first wins the game. Be aware that while preschool children should be encouraged to count their own points, an adult or older student may be required to add the individual points together.
Using dice to determine punishment times can not only be an effective way to improve counting, but can make the preschool child feel as if he has an active role in his time-out duration. When a child requires a time-out, allow him to role a set of dice. The total number that comes up on the dice equals the amount of time that the child is required to stay in the time-out session. Encourage the child to count the number of minutes himself, without assistance from a teacher or older student.
Preschool children often need to be divided into groups for various activities. Instead of simply telling the children which group they will be placed in, hand out flashcards that feature the different sides of a die. Students who received a flashcard with a one will be grouped together, those with a two will be grouped together, and so on. Students must be able to count the number of spots on their die to determine the group to which they belong.