I know there are math questions on the OLSAT®, but my daughter is not interested in doing math questions when I try to do them with her. Any suggestions for making math interesting and something she’ll want to do?
Many young children especially preschoolers — do not respond well to traditional “math practice.” The good news is that early math skills for tests like the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test can often be developed naturally through play, conversation, and everyday activities.
At this age, the goal is not to memorize worksheets or drill math facts. The goal is helping children develop number sense, pattern recognition, logical thinking, and confidence with problem-solving.
Make Math Part of Everyday Life
One of the best ways to make math enjoyable is to stop thinking of math as something that only happens at a table with paper and pencils.
Math is everywhere:
- while walking outside,
- during meals,
- at the grocery store,
- in books,
- during playtime,
- and even during cleanup routines.
For example, while walking or driving, you can ask:
- “How many red cars can we find?”
- “Which has more wheels, trucks, or buses?”
- “If we saw 3 dogs and then 2 more, how many dogs did we see altogether?”
Young children often learn math best when they do not realize they are “doing math.”
Use Books to Teach Math Naturally
Picture books are an excellent way to build early math skills.
Books with repeating patterns, animals, objects, or counting themes help children practice:
- counting,
- comparing,
- adding,
- subtracting,
- and noticing patterns.
For example, while reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, you might:
- count the animals,
- compare colors,
- add animals from two pages together,
- or count total eyes, legs, or objects throughout the story.
As your child’s skills grow, you can gradually introduce slightly more challenging questions in a playful way.
Follow Your Child’s Interests
Children are far more engaged when math connects to something they already love.
If your daughter enjoys:
- animals,
- cooking,
- dolls,
- sports,
- art,
- building toys,
- or nature,
you can easily incorporate math into those activities.
Examples include:
- counting ingredients while baking,
- sorting toy animals by size or color,
- measuring blocks,
- comparing heights,
- or creating patterns with stickers or beads.
Keep It Short and Fun
For young children, short and positive interactions are usually much more effective than long practice sessions.
If your child:
- laughs,
- participates willingly,
- asks questions,
- or wants to continue,
that is a great sign.
If she becomes frustrated or disengaged, simply stop and revisit another day.
Early Math Is About Thinking Skills
Tests like the OLSAT are not simply looking for memorized math facts. They often assess:
- logical reasoning,
- pattern recognition,
- listening skills,
- sequencing,
- and flexible thinking.
Building curiosity and confidence around numbers is far more important than pushing advanced arithmetic too early.
The most important thing parents can do is help children see math as fun, interactive, and part of everyday life.
Tell us about your experiences