Instead of math workbooks, we let our kids play with dominos to learn real-world applications for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Our children have always loved this hands-on learning style more than traditional methods like worksheets.
This particular activity is how we help our children practice their addition skills and writing numbers from memory.
The most productive set for learning dominos is the 12 Colored Dots Dominos, which come in a tin box.
This allows you to work on all the math facts from 0-12 with this activity and practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division–all while your child is having fun!
My children are five and six years old and can already do most addition facts. They also have a good understanding of subtraction.
What You’ll Need for Math with Dominoes
Here’s everything you need to do this learning activity for math with dominos:
- Dominos
- Paper or a whiteboard to serve as your working space.
- Different types of pencils, chalk, or dry-erase markers
Here’s How it’s Done…
Practicing math with dominos is easy, and your kids will love it!
- I lay out as many dominos that will fit on the work surface, allowing the children to write their answers below each domino. Then I leave the children alone to work on the problems, around 12 or so.
- When they’re done, I come back and check their work. If there are any mistakes, I call ’em out and have them cross out the old number, erase it, and write the correct answer in its place or below the wrong answer.
- If we do it on paper, we will turn the paper over and do more on the other side.
- To help the kids get ready for regular math worksheets, we give each domino a line. You can prepare the paper by adding lines in advance and having the children fill in dominos corresponding to the number you assigned during their learning time.
- Even though he loves drawing his own lines, I still provide my six-year-old son with around 25-30 dominos per lesson.
Plus…
If you want to give your children extra practice with the answers they already provided, here’s a fun way to do it: take all the dominos off the workspace (being careful if you are using chalk or dry-erase markers).
- Mix the dominos up
- Have the children place them on top of their matching answers.
- If your child makes any mistakes, point them out so they can learn from their mistake and try again tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are dominoes educational?
Dominoes can be used to teach basic mathematical concepts such as probability and sequencing. As a result, dominoes can be both fun and educational.
How do dominoes help with cognitive development?
Playing dominoes requires planning, strategic thinking, and visual and motor skills. In addition, it helps to develop memory and concentration. As a result, dominoes can be a great way to improve problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. Furthermore, because the game can be played with multiple players, it also helps to develop social skills. So whether you are young or old, playing dominoes can help to improve your cognitive abilities.
What other ways can I use dominoes for math?
Like doing math with Legos, dominoes can teach addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They can also be used to teach place value and fractions. Additionally, dominoes can be used to create number patterns and sequences. Children can develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts by exploring how dominoes can be used for math.
