Free, age-appropriate computer games can help your
child practice basic skills at home. Play with your child the first time to
make sure the game matches your child's interests and abilities. If your child
has trouble focusing, the graphics may be too distracting. Young children
benefit from hands-on experiences and interaction with other people, so when
you have time, play board games and talk to your child about the math he or she
is doing. There is no substitute for your interest and involvement!
Counting Speedy Pictures
1 A small quantity of dots, beads, eggs, or fingers is
displayed for a few seconds, and the player clicks on the matching number. The
quantities are displayed in groupings that lead children away from counting one
by one, toward recognizing small groups, counting on, and adding to find the
total.
Counting Fish The player counts small
numbers of animated fish. Talk to your child about different ways to count the
fish, perhaps by finding groups of 2 or 3 fish. Players scoring 70% or better
will move to the next level. Audio directions.
How
Many Ants Do You See? The player counts the ants and clicks on
the corresponding number. Ants are grouped and color-coded in ways that help
children practice counting strategies. Audio directions.
Ten Frame Select from several games that
challenge students to count objects, build numbers, or answer basic addition
problems using a ten frame. A Five Frame is also available.
Number Sequencing Numerical
Order Players put numbers in order from 1-10. Advanced levels
include numbers from 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, etc. Audio directions.
Super Connect the Dots! In these connect
the dot pictures, you set the counting sequence. For example, you could set the
sequence to "2" and have your child practice counting by 2s while
forming a picture. Before you begin, practice the counting sequence aloud with
your child. Consider using counting sequences of 1s, 2s, 5s, or 10s.
Basic Addition Speedy
Pictures 2 Similar to Speedy Pictures 1, players race to
beat a timer as they add the number of dots shown on 2 dice, the number of
fingers shown on two hands, or the number of beads shown in two rows.
Addition with Manipulatives Players see and
hear an addition problem. They can drag marbles onto a work surface to help
them figure out the problem. Play includes five levels of addition, starting
with simple 1 digit problems. Players must score 70% or greater to advance
levels. Audio directions.
Bonds
of Ten Set a whale free by adding pipe sections with numbers
to make ten. Before your child begins, talk about the number combinations that
make ten. You might even look at different ways to make ten using game pieces,
marbles, or pennies. Children may need some help to get started. No audio
instructions.
MathTappers:
Find Sums An iApp compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad,
this simple, free game uses ten frames and is designed to help learners make
sense of addition. It's an excellent game to explore with your child while
you're on the go.
Basic Subtraction Balloon
Pop Subtraction View a subtraction problem and pop balloons
to figure out the solution. 3 levels of difficulty available as well as audio
directions.
Repeating Patterns Moon Rock
Patterns The player looks at a repeating pattern of colored
dots and then chooses the dot that comes next. Ask your child to explain how he
or she can tell what comes next and to show you where the pattern starts and
where it ends. Levels become increasingly difficult.