We all know that story time is a wonderful way to foster a love for reading and build early literacy skills. But did you know that it’s also a perfect opportunity to support young children’s math development?  

When families use reading time at home to talk about numbers, shapes, patterns, and measurements, they help children build foundational math skills that can support later success in school. 

Math is everywhere in stories—from counting objects in illustrations to exploring shapes in the environment—and these everyday moments offer the perfect opportunity to make math come alive for young children. 

Tips for Incorporating Math into Storytime 

Here are some simple tips to help families bring math to life during shared reading: 

Choose Math-Themed Books 
Books that focus on counting, shapes, patterns, comparisons, money and problem solving naturally lend themselves to math talk. Look for stories where characters use math in real-life situations, like measuring ingredients or counting toys, to spark conversations about math concepts like: Quack and Count by Keith Baker; Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell; and, Who Eats First? by Ae-hae Yoon.  

Spot Math Concepts in Pictures 
As you turn the pages, pause to point out numbers, shapes, or patterns in the pictures. Ask questions like, “How many trees are there?” or “Do you see any circles on this page?” These questions can help children practice identifying and understanding math in the world around them.  

Ask Math-Related Questions 
Encourage math exploration by asking open-ended questions during the story. Questions like, “What happens if we add one more apple to the basket?” or “Can you find something that is taller than this character?” make math fun and interactive. 

Consider Gender, Culture, and Language 
Be mindful of the diversity in the math stories you choose. Look for books that reflect different cultures, languages, and experiences to ensure all children see themselves in the math world. This shows that math is for everyone! 
 

Happy reading—and happy counting! 

• Copy Link
• Tweet
• Share
• Share