Use measuring cups to demonstrate parts of a whole. Give the child a 1-cup measuring cup and have her fill it using smaller measuring cups containing a dry food product, such as beans or rice. Dividing a 1-cup measuring cup filled with rice into two 1/2-cup measuring cups illustrates that a fraction represents more than one part.
Give the child two flour tortillas and have him place one on top of the other. Explain that one tortilla equals one whole, then fold the top tortilla in half. Have the child do the same. Ask her what the quotient is after folding the tortilla in half and have her write a mathematical statement describing it. After illustrating that one-half plus one-half equals a whole, her statement should read "1/2 + 1/2 = 1." Repeat the folding process so that the folded tortilla is 1/4 its original size, and have the child do the same. Have her write a mathematical statement showing 4 x 1/4 = 1. Use this exercise to generate several statements, such as "4/4 = 1" and "8 x 1/8 = 1."
Modify a recipe by reducing the ingredient amounts by half or doubling them. Prepare the recipe with the child, while allowing her to halve or double the amounts. For example, if doubling a recipe that prescribes 1/2 cup of flour, have her fill a 1-cup measuring cup with two 1/2-cup measuring cups of flour.