When we think of preschool, most people think of crayons, storybooks, and play. While these things are all important, preschool early math and preschool early science learning are equally important, as a part of building a child’s foundation.

Math and science learning in the early years isn’t about solving equations or holding huge experiments, it’s about igniting interest near by. Children are very curious- they count, sort, ask questions, and explore the world. These are the very first steps into STEM learning for preschoolers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

In this blog, we will touch on the significance of early care math activities for preschool children, how preschool science activities foster curiosity, and why these skills will help build a strong future skills preschool foundation.

Why Early Math and Science Learning is Important in a Preschool Program?

Building Cognitive Skills

Doing math and science activities helps to develop problem-solving, reasoning, and memory skills. Research indicates a child’s early academic success is determined by cognitive development and math science exposure.

Cultivating a Natural Curiosity

Children are always asking, “Why is the sky blue?” or “How many blocks can I stack?” These consistent questions, from everyday situations form the foundation of a preschool STEM base.

Preparing for Future Skills

In modern society, innovation and creative thinking are equally as important as having the knowledge. Future skills preschool learning builds children’s ability to adapt and manage their own future.

The Importance of Math in Preschool

The Early Math Concepts Kids Learn In Preschool

Counting: recognizing numbers and number sequences

Sorting & Classifying: grouping items according to color, size, shape

Patterns: recognizing order and prediction

Measurement: comparing sizes, weights, lengths

Shapes & Space: increasing awareness of basic geometry

Why Math Matters

1. Foundation for Future Learning: students who have a solid foundation in math skills will tend to perform better in the science, technology, and engineering subjects in the future.

2. Problem Solving: Math allows children to use their logical thinking and thinking characteristics when decision making.

3. Daily Living: Math is the foundation of every aspect of our living, from money management to cooking.

Preschool Early Science Learning

Core Skills Developed through Science in Early Education:

Observation: using the senses to notice detail

Experimentation: try, fail, and try again

Prediction: guessing the results or outcomes

Cause and Effect: understanding the use of knowledge to affect outcome

Everyday Activities to Incorporate STEM Science Learning

watching a plant grow

mixed-water colors with water paints

exploring magnets

shadow watching

water play with floating/sinking objects

These everyday activities will make preschool early science learning fun and meaningful.

STEM for Preschool: A Match made in Nature

What is STEM?

STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics subjects. While it sounds very formal, education for preschoolers using a STEM is all about the process of hands-on, play-based learning!

How does it look in preschool?

Science: exploring nature, water, weather

Technology: engagement in simple learning apps or digital drawing tools

Engineering: building with blocks, creating bridges with straws

Math: counting, sorting, and shapes

This approach is a natural fit for preschool children who easily engage in STEM education and use the content in a natural flow. This integrated approach enables learning and development to occur in a natural process, building a solid foundation in preschool STEM subjects.

Preschool Science Play Ideas

Activity	Learning Intended
Gardening seeds	Observation, patience, and responsibility
Baking simple recipes	Measuring, sequencing, and cause and effect
Playing with magnets	Properties of objects and exploration
Playing with shadows	Light/dark, and problem-solving
Experimenting at the water table	Floating, sinking, and understanding volume

The hands-on preschool science play will encourage children to explore and make connections to the real world.

Early Math Learning in Preschool

Activity	Skill Developed
Counting the toys at cleanup time	Number recognition
Sorting the buttons by color	Sorting/classifying and visual learning
Making patterns with beads	Sequencing and recognizing patterns
Comparing the height of block towers	Measurement and size comparison
Playing board games (Snakes and Ladders)	Counting, taking turns, and strategy

When parents and teachers engage in these activities, the children see how math is everywhere in their world.

Social learning for cognitive development through Math and Science

Memory and Recall

Children remember patterns, the steps they took in their experiments, and the sequence of numbers.

Logical Thinking

Math and Science are processes of analyzing a problem and determining a solution.

Creativity

Building bridges with blocks; predicting the growth of a plant engages imagination.

Confidence

Completing small tasks positively affects self-esteem, and as a result, children will be more willing to attempt larger tasks.

This illustrates how cognitive development math science in preschool has to do with the way a child begins to think and the perceptions of their world, rather than just facts.

Skills for the Future in Preschool Learning

Critical Thinking

Asking questions, comparing results, and experimenting make children thoughtful learners.

Collaboration

Experiments and games are often done in groups, so children learn team work.

Adaptability

Children come to learn that sometimes failure is part of learning and so builds coping skills and resilience.

Communication

Describing ways they solved a problem enhances language and expression.

These skills and habits learned in preschool are all important skills for education and careers today.

Preschool STEM Foundation for the Future: A Long-Term Investment

Academic Achievement

Kids who do early math preschool and science activities tend to score better in the higher grades.

Lifelong Interest

When kids regard “learning” and “school” as fun, they will continue to explore their interests for the rest of their life.

Real World Activities

Cooking, traveling, shopping, etc. all require some basic math and/or science knowledge.

Career Success

STEM careers are growing rapidly worldwide, and by having a preschool STEM foundation, children will have a head start.

Encouraging Early Math and Science at Home

Things Parents Can Do

Count stairs when climbing,

Cook together (measuring ingredients),

Play with puzzles, building sets, etc.

Ask open-ended questions – “why” and “how”

Encourage kids to explore when going outdoors for walks, etc.

Parents do not need to feel like experts, but being curious with their kids goes a long way in supporting preschool early science learning.

Barriers to Overcome

Math and Science Are Too Advanced

Preschool math and science do not include complicated math equations or science lab testing – it is all about curiosity and play.

Limited Resources

Household items can transform into learning materials – spoons, water, and paper for starters!

Fear of Failure

Kids should be allowed to try, fail, and try again. Failing plays a big part in the value of math in preschool and exploring science.

Playing with STEM: The Best Combination

Playing in a fun, engaging way with STEM for preschoolers invites them to learn naturally. Building a tower out of blocks is engineering. Mixing colors is science. Counting your snacks is math.

This approach to play with the human body is great because it builds an appetite for learning in a way that does not feel forced.

Conclusion

The importance of math in preschool and early exposure to science cannot be emphasized enough as they define the nature of (1) cognitive development, math, science and thinking skills, (2) curiosity, and (3) they prepare children for life.

Through preschool science activities, early math preschool lessons, and fun STEM for preschoolers, we provide children with the components needed to become successful, not only in school, but in the real world and useful lives.

Developing a strong preschool STEM foundation is not only an early start in life–it is a long-term investment into the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.