Count the Candy Valentines Day Counting Activity for Preschool

This fun, hands-on counting activity preschool is a great way to help early learners gain fluency with counting to 10. Use this free counting printable to help kids get excited about preschool math as they work on a counting activity for preschoolers.

Counting Activity Preschool

Today, let’s talk about something sweet – not just because we’re diving into a counting activity with a Valentine’s twist, but because watching preschoolers embrace numbers is genuinely heartwarming. So, grab your printable strips, some mini erasers, and let’s set off on this counting activity!

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler you will love this valentines day math activity for prek! In this activity children will practice counting, one to one correspondence, and tracing numbers too. We like to use conversation hearts for an extra fun twist kids love! At the end I let my class eat their 10 conversation hearts.

How to Teach Counting to Preschoolers?

Teaching counting to little ones is like planting seeds of math. In my early teaching days, I discovered that counting isn’t just about reciting numbers; it’s about making numbers a part of their everyday world.

I vividly remember introducing counting during snack time. We’d count the number of apple slices or crackers. It turned an ordinary activity into a number exploration journey, and the kids loved it.

How to Use This Counting Activity

Now, let’s talk about the star of our show – the candy count activity with these themed strips. Your preschooler’s mission? Identify the number and bring it to life with some hands-on counting.

The first time I introduced this activity, the room buzzed with excitement. Little fingers eagerly grabbed mini erasers, and suddenly, counting felt like a game. The best part? Their faces lighting up as they proudly displayed their creations.

Counting to 10

Here’s your guide to the counting fun:

• Print the Strips: Grab the free printable cards. You may want to laminate them for durability or to repeat the tracing activity with a dry erase marker.
• Valentine Counting Magic: Point to a counting card, and together with your preschooler, identify the number and the corresponding items.
• Hands-On Action: Now, the fun part. Grab mini erasers, heart candy, or counters and add that many to the card. This is great for not only counting skills, but 1:1 correspondence as well!
• Show and Tell: Encourage the littles to proudly show their completed strips. Its also another way to test their knowledge.

What if Kids Struggle with Counting Skills?

It’s normal for some little ones to find counting a bit challenging. If you notice this happening, here are a few tricks to turn things around:

• Visual Aids: Use visual aids like counting fingers or objects. Concrete examples make abstract concepts more tangible.
• Counting Songs: Introduce counting songs. Trust me; the repetitive tunes work like magic in making numbers memorable.
• Interactive Stories: Weave counting into stories. Whether it’s counting animals or objects, stories make numbers come alive.
• Remember, the goal is not perfection but progress. Counting is an adventure, and every step, no matter how small, deserves a cheer.

So, dive into the counting fun, spread the love of numbers, and watch those little minds bloom!