Math Foundation
Sing Songs
There are plenty of great songs that teach kids about numbers. Work these into your repertoire. Every time your child sings "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed," or "Five Little Ducks Went Out One Day," he'll gain a deeper understanding of how numbers work. (I don't recommend "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall—not so much because it might encourage underage drinking, but because of how annoying the seemingly never-ending song can be.)
Use Textures
Have your child fingerpaint numbers in pudding, or have him use a stick in the sand to trace out numbers. Anything that allows him to practice writing numbers in novel ways will ingrain the practice in his mind.
Connect Numbers With Interests
One boy I know is obsessed with Noah's Ark. His playsets offer all kinds of opportunities for counting different animals—and then learning to count two-by-two. The same goes for dolls, cars, bubbles baseball games and practically anything else.
Count During Activities
Whenever you think of it, let your chid hear you count—and have her count along with you. Count when you're pushing her on the swing, when she's brushing her teeth, and when she's taking steps between the car and the school building.
Sense Numbers
While you're teaching about numbers, teach about the senses as well. Have your child close his eyes then listen to you clap or snap. Quiz him on how many he hears. Or, tap his leg and have him count the taps.
Count With Body
Teach numbers with activity. Have your hold ump four times, or run back and forth to the fence twice. Or, play a game where you put out a set of numbers written on pieces of paper, and your child has to run to find the number you name and bring it back to you.
