Math is an important focus in school and each classroom. When a new curriculum was developed in my area for kindergarten, I wanted to make sure that I understood and was familiar with the changes. I read the curriculum, communicated with countless educators and attended workshops through my board to gain more confidence with the new program. Using this information I created the Best Math Talks for Kindergarten.

I wanted to make sure that my daily math talks that I use in my classroom were aligned with the curriculum, engaging and meaningful. They are also no prep which makes it easy for anyone to use in their classroom or at home. Each day you will show one of the images, in sequence, and the children guide most of the lesson through conversation.

The program is based on the new 2026 Ontario kindergarten curriculum. Whether you teach in Ontario or not, the skills that are developed in these math talks are essential for all young children and can be used throughout the world.

Best Math Talks for Kindergarten

I started using math or number talks in my classroom a few years ago and quickly noticed how valuable they were. If you aren’t familiar with math talks, they’re a great way to build number sense, mathematical thinking, communication and problem solving skills.

Essentially, a math talk involves showing children observing an image, thinking about what they notice and then sharing their ideas. A math talk should take between 5-15 minutes. Celebrate different approaches and strategies with a focus on the thinking process and discussion rather than the speed or correctness.

I have used an made different math talks over the years, but I always found that the images were not what I most wanted. Math talks should included photos of real math tools and manipulatives that children use everyday.

Showing how they can be used through math talks in an added bonus to these math talks. Children see the tools like real counters, ten frames, dice and connecting cubes featured in the math talks and it makes it more meaningful.

Benefits of Daily Math Talks

Math Talks are ideal for various uses including:

– Whole and Small Group Instruction

– Daily Math Warm Up

– Morning Meetings

– Building Number Sense

– Intervention Groups

– Assessment Opportunities

– Encouraging Mathematical Communication and Thinking

– Supply Teachers

I enjoying doing daily math talks because it helps to structure each lesson and each math period. My students know that our math class will start with a math talk. They know that there is no pressure in the talks and there is no pressure to be right. I simply want to create a discussion and understand their thinking.

Math talks are also a great way for kids to learn from each other. Through sharing their thinking with their peers, they are sharing what happens in their mind to solve a math question. Often it is a different way than others in the class would solve it. This is where learning happens.

It can also help assess any children struggling with concepts. If a child rarely shares or their ideas don’t show an understanding of the concept, it’s an easy way for teachers to then provide extra support to help the struggling student.

Best Math Talks for Kindergarten and Preschool

Daily Images

Introduce children to various math tools. The images focus on the tools each day. The pages are clean, uncluttered and focused on the math. Ideally children will recognize the manipulates featured and it can help them use them successfully later in future hands-on math activities.

Each talk also features two teacher prompts. The questions are intentional to create communication and can also help focus the lesson.

You can add more prompts/questions as the math talk progresses, but the two guiding questions are carefully chosen and phrased. The questions give teachers an idea of what to focus on and how to direct the math talk.

Curriculum Connections

The expectations that are listed for each activity as covered as intended as guide lines. Most of the talks cover several expectations, but the few that are intended to be the focus are listed. Sometimes math talks go in a direction that is not intended as children answers are unexpected. That’s okay and these different approaches should be celebrated. However, it can lead to different expectations covered than the ones listed.

The first set of math talks are intended for September. The skills covered start at the basics with a focus on number senses and develop a solid foundation working with the number 5. This is then built on in future months.

All of the expectations are listed on as a printable resource within the file. Each of the expectations that are targeted for each lesson are recorded. This helps educators feel confident that they are focusing on the curriculum and familiar with what is being taught. By the end of the year, all expectations are covered through the daily math talks.

A printable list of the Ontario Kindergarten math expectations is also included in the resource. There is a blank list of expectations for educators to use for their own records.

Please note that including math talks in a daily math program is important and effective, they are most effective when used in combination with your existing math program. The math talks do not need to align with the current unit being covered in your math program.

Best Daily Math Talks for Kindergarten and Preschool

More Information and to Purchase

Grab your copy of the daily math talks by clicking either of the boxes below. You will then find more information on how to purchase.

Included in the product:

• Link to the Google Slides
• 20 daily math talks with engaging photos + 2 teacher prompts per lesson (Printable copies of each math talks/Google Slides, 2 per page)
• Teacher Guide with an image of each slide, numbered for easy reference
• Teacher Guide (Benefits of math talks, how to use math talks, and extension ideas)
• Curriculum expectations + which expectations are covered in each lesson
• Curriculum expectation list for educators

When you open the file you will find all of the teacher resources and printables. You will also find a page with a link to the Google Slides. Once you click the link, you will be asked to make a copy of the file and then you will have access to it.

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