Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Cognitive Development (CD)

Subdomain: Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Goal: Children show understanding of numbers and quantities during play and other activities

Skill Progression: Composing and decomposing number

Age: 30-33 Months

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Observe the child during mealtime with pieces of food.

Similar to the above mealtime game, play “I want the same as you!” Use small crackers or cereal pieces. The adult takes 1-4 pieces of the snack out of a bowl. She places them on the child’s plate and says, “I want the same as you!” The child then has to find the same number to give the adult. If the child is wrong, the adult asks, “Is that the same number?” (The child may be teasing, so watch for facial reactions). This can become a turn-taking game with both child and adult creating sets to be matched.

The child is able to create matching amounts of snacks up to four pieces.

Again, playing number counting and matching games builds the child’s ability to think quickly when he sees amounts. The more the child plays such games, the quicker his mental processing becomes. Encourage parents to come up with their own games during the routines of the day, in the park, in a store, or in the car.