Hands-on math activities

Before you help, try 3 questions

Try three questions during hands-on math activities: What do you notice? What could you change? How could we check? This illustrated guide shows sorting, ordering, and comparing, with time for your child to respond.

A bowl holds three shells and one starfish. Three hay bales invite a swap, and two cups show different water levels. Each scene accompanies a question for parents. Ori the owl appears in the bottom panel. — Full infographic for grown-ups · Before you help, try 3 questions.

Give your child room to think.

Text on this infographic:

“What do you notice?”
Look together before pointing out an answer.
“What could you change?”
Invite one move, then see what happens.
“How could we check?”
Line things up, match them, or count together.

Pause after asking. A point or a move can be an answer, too.

Try today
Pick one question. Leave time for your child to respond.

“What do you notice?”

“What could you change?”

“How could we check?”