Math |

Mathematics in the broadest sense involves understanding and comparing quantity, characteristics, spatial relationships, and logical sequences. At Sunshine Academy, children learn math in an experiential manner by experimenting with peg boards, unit blocks, unifix cubes, cuisinaire rods and other materials; collecting, sorting, categorizing and comparing objects; learning to use standard measuring tools, such as clocks, calendars, and tape measures as well as exploring non-standard ways of comparing sizes and distances; and exploring the properties of materials in the sand/water/sensory table. Teachers reinforce mathematical concepts during circle time; group discussions; reading, music and art activities; counting and sequencing games and outdoor play.

Infants & Toddlers
Preschool & Pre-K

LEARNING EXPECTATIONS	EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES
Recognize patterns and relationships	See and touch objects of different size, shape, color, and texture (blocks, cups, leaves, rocks) Match shapes or sizes such as with the shape sorter, stacking rings, shape puzzles, blocks Explore puzzles of different sizes, shapes Sing songs about colors or with repeating patterns or rhythms (e.g., The Rainbow Song)
Learn the names of numbers 1 to 10 while developing a sense of their meaning	Read books such as “Five Little Monkeys…” or “Ten Little Ladybugs” Sing songs such as “Over in the Meadow” “This Old Man” or “Six Little Ducks” Count how many crackers and cups for snack Explore number games and puzzles
Understand volume, weight, and distance using standard and non-standard ways of measuring	Pour sand, water, and other materials into cups of various sizes and dump it out Build and experiment with blocks Measure ingredients for play dough, goop, flubber, bio-putty or cooking projects Measure objects or distances with string, tape, rulers, measuring tape, footsteps, blocks, etc.
Understand addition and subtraction	Sing songs such as “Six Little Ducks” or read books such as “Ten Little Ladybugs” which add or subtract one-by-one
Understand fractions, divisions, parts and sections	Make and serve pretend-play pizza Measure a half-cup of juice for drinking Work on puzzles of different sizes, shapes
Understand and name opposites	Sing songs and explore books about opposites Play opposites guessing games
Develop a sense of time and sequence while learning to use ordinal numbers (first, second, third) in everyday contexts	Discuss daily schedule (first, do this, then that) Sing about days of the week, months, seasons Play leader/follower games Repeat clapping patterns and melodies

LEARNING EXPECTATIONS	EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES
Recognize patterns and relationships	Explore the size, shape, color, and texture of materials (blocks, cups, leaves, rocks) Collect, sort, categorize, and compare objects Make group charts comparing objects Build and experiment with pattern blocks Work on table-top and floor puzzles
Learn the names of numbers 1 to 10 while developing a sense of their meaning	Experiment with unifix cubes, cuisinaire rods, place value sets and other math manipulatives Read books such as “Five Little Monkeys…” Count how many plates and cups for snack Explore number games and puzzles
Understand volume, weight, and distance using standard and non-standard ways of measuring	Pour sand, water, and other materials into cups of various sizes and dump it out Build and experiment with blocks Measure ingredients for play dough, goop, flubber, bio-putty or cooking projects Measure objects or distances with string, tape, rulers, measuring tape, footsteps, blocks, etc.
Understand addition and subtraction	Experiment with math manipulatives Read books such as “Adding it Up”
Understand fractions, divisions, parts and sections	Work with fraction puzzles Make and serve pretend-play pizza Measure a half-cup or quarter-cup for making play dough and cooking Work on table-top and floor puzzles
Understand and name opposites	Sing songs and explore books about opposites Play opposites guessing games
Develop a sense of time and sequence while learning to use ordinal numbers (first, second, third) in everyday contexts	Discuss the daily schedule and schedule Sing about days of the week, months, seasons Use teaching clocks, sequence cards Play leader/follower games Repeat clapping patterns and melodies

Infants & Toddlers

LEARNING EXPECTATIONS	EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES
Recognize patterns and relationships	See and touch objects of different size, shape, color, and texture (blocks, cups, leaves, rocks) Match shapes or sizes such as with the shape sorter, stacking rings, shape puzzles, blocks Explore puzzles of different sizes, shapes Sing songs about colors or with repeating patterns or rhythms (e.g., The Rainbow Song)
Learn the names of numbers 1 to 10 while developing a sense of their meaning	Read books such as “Five Little Monkeys…” or “Ten Little Ladybugs” Sing songs such as “Over in the Meadow” “This Old Man” or “Six Little Ducks” Count how many crackers and cups for snack Explore number games and puzzles
Understand volume, weight, and distance using standard and non-standard ways of measuring	Pour sand, water, and other materials into cups of various sizes and dump it out Build and experiment with blocks Measure ingredients for play dough, goop, flubber, bio-putty or cooking projects Measure objects or distances with string, tape, rulers, measuring tape, footsteps, blocks, etc.
Understand addition and subtraction	Sing songs such as “Six Little Ducks” or read books such as “Ten Little Ladybugs” which add or subtract one-by-one
Understand fractions, divisions, parts and sections	Make and serve pretend-play pizza Measure a half-cup of juice for drinking Work on puzzles of different sizes, shapes
Understand and name opposites	Sing songs and explore books about opposites Play opposites guessing games
Develop a sense of time and sequence while learning to use ordinal numbers (first, second, third) in everyday contexts	Discuss daily schedule (first, do this, then that) Sing about days of the week, months, seasons Play leader/follower games Repeat clapping patterns and melodies

Preschool & Pre-K

LEARNING EXPECTATIONS	EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES
Recognize patterns and relationships	Explore the size, shape, color, and texture of materials (blocks, cups, leaves, rocks) Collect, sort, categorize, and compare objects Make group charts comparing objects Build and experiment with pattern blocks Work on table-top and floor puzzles
Learn the names of numbers 1 to 10 while developing a sense of their meaning	Experiment with unifix cubes, cuisinaire rods, place value sets and other math manipulatives Read books such as “Five Little Monkeys…” Count how many plates and cups for snack Explore number games and puzzles
Understand volume, weight, and distance using standard and non-standard ways of measuring	Pour sand, water, and other materials into cups of various sizes and dump it out Build and experiment with blocks Measure ingredients for play dough, goop, flubber, bio-putty or cooking projects Measure objects or distances with string, tape, rulers, measuring tape, footsteps, blocks, etc.
Understand addition and subtraction	Experiment with math manipulatives Read books such as “Adding it Up”
Understand fractions, divisions, parts and sections	Work with fraction puzzles Make and serve pretend-play pizza Measure a half-cup or quarter-cup for making play dough and cooking Work on table-top and floor puzzles
Understand and name opposites	Sing songs and explore books about opposites Play opposites guessing games
Develop a sense of time and sequence while learning to use ordinal numbers (first, second, third) in everyday contexts	Discuss the daily schedule and schedule Sing about days of the week, months, seasons Use teaching clocks, sequence cards Play leader/follower games Repeat clapping patterns and melodies