Explore math concepts with graphing in preschool!
Graphing is a wonderful tool for promoting basic math concepts, vocabulary and mathematical thinking.
Before graphing…
Let the children explore the materials: the graphing process is more meaningful to children as they explore the materials they will be using for the graph ahead of time. Before graphing their ice cream, the children tasted three kinds of ice cream then they graphed their favorites. The children were able to recall their experience and then see their experiences translated into graph form.
After graphing
Review the graph: The teacher invites the children to review the results of the graph by counting how many dots or names are under each type of ice cream.
Ask questions: The teacher then invites the children to explore the graph using questions such as: “Which ice cream did the class like the best?” or “Which ice cream got the most dots?” and “Which ice cream did the class like the least?” or “Which ice cream got the least amount of dots?”
Mix it up: There are many kinds of graphs you can introduce to your preschoolers from bar graphs, circle graphs, line graphs, and picture graphs.
Follow up: Follow up the graphing exercise with other activities, like making puffy ice cream, to reinforce concepts or vocabulary words that were used during the graphing experience.
Check out these simple ideas for graphing too…
Graphing oranges from Teach Preschool
Science in the preschool classroom from Teach Preschool
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