Boxi Math

Back to Stage 0 / Unit0A · See it at a glance

Game card for parents · 0A-4 · Ages 4–6 · 5 min

Peek Under the Cup

Seeing the same amount in a line, a clump and a pattern shows your child that the number stays the same however things are arranged.

S-1 Numbers are amountsS-6 Mistakes are fine — try it

You need

  • 5 toy blocks or bottle caps
  • a large bowl or tea towel to cover them

How to play

  1. While your child looks away, set out 1 to 5 objects and cover them.
  2. Lift the cover for about two seconds, then put it back.
  3. Ask how many there were.
  4. Lift it again and count together.
  5. Next round, use the same number but arrange them differently.

Guess first

I only showed you for a moment. What's your guess? Let's lift it and see.

Three things to ask

  1. Is it easier to see when they're in a line or in a pattern?
  2. If I move them around, are there more now, or fewer?
  3. Can you hide some for me to guess?

Easier

Use only up to 3 and always put them in a neat row.

Harder

Show 4 or 5 scattered, or use two colours, such as 3 red and 2 blue.

Watch for

If your child thinks a spread-out row has more, that is a very common stage. Just line the two up and count them together; no need to correct in words.

Safety

Bottle caps and small blocks are a choking hazard for children under 3. Use large blocks for younger siblings and stay close.

boxi-math.github.io · CC BY 4.0 · Boxi Yu