Preschoolers informally use math skills in their everyday environment.  Early math experiences consist of opportunities such as children exploring and observing the similarities, differences, sizes, shapes, and textures of objects through hands-on experiences.  The Toys and Games interest area is a great "addition" to a preschool classroom.  The Toys and Games interest area offers open-ended materials that children can use to sort, categorize, count, and compare quantities.  Teachers should select developmentally-appropriate materials based upon children's interests and facilitate learning by asking open-ended questions.  This type of meaningful engagement helps students develop strong mathematical skills.

Manipulatives are an important part of the early childhood curriculum.  They allow children an opportunity to practice a wide variety of skills.  These activities help strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which plays a part in the development of writing skills.  Manipulatives may be stored in a variety of centers as they help support literacy, math, science, and art concepts.  Depending upon classroom space, math materials and other manipulatives may be stored in the same center/shelf or different centers/shelves.  The Toys and Games interest area is a Creative Curriculum and ECERS-3 required center.