Bedtime Math

Try these bedtime math finger plays and activities.

Addition Story

One happy friend sings a song. (Hold up one finger)
Then another comes to sing along. (Add another finger)
La, la, la, ding, ding, dong! How many friends are singing a song? TWO!
Two happy friends sing a song. (Hold up two fingers)
Then another comes to sing along! (Add another finger)
La, la, la, ding, ding, dong! How many friends are singing the song? THREE!
Continue adding fingers; see how high you can go!

Subtraction Story

Three little babies are dancing in the bed. (Hold up three fingers)
One lies down to rest his head. (Put down one finger)
Now how many babies are dancing in the bed? TWO!
(Repeat the verse and actions using 2, 1, and “none.” Then say the final verse:)
No little babies are dancing in the bed.
All the little babies went night-night instead!

Bedtime Count Down

Make lights-out count! Before you turn off the lights, hold up ten fingers. Then count down together, starting with the number ten: “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.” [Turn lights off.] “Sweet dreams!”