One of the joys of homeschooling my 5-year-old son is discovering how stories can become powerful teaching tools—even for math. While bedtime is usually reserved for winding down, we’ve turned it into an opportunity to sneak in playful, story-based math.

Take any picture book—whether it’s about animals, adventures, or fairy tales—and look for numbers in the narrative. For example, in “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” we count fruits, track the days of the week, and compare amounts. These aren’t just fun details—they’re foundational math concepts.

I often pause during reading to ask questions like, “How many apples did he eat on Monday?” or “What comes after three plums?” You can even go a step further: “If he eats two more strawberries, how many will he have eaten in total?” This naturally introduces addition and sequencing.

To reinforce learning visually, we create simple story maps. My son draws scenes with numbers: three ducks crossing a bridge, five cookies on a plate, etc. This combines math with drawing and narration, reinforcing retention.

Another tip is to create your own mini math stories. For instance: “Liam had five toy cars. He gave two to his friend. How many does he have now?” Encourage your child to act it out with real objects or illustrations.

If you prefer structure, printable story-math worksheets (found on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers or Twinkl) offer guided activities using this method. Just choose those with engaging visuals and minimal text.

Incorporating math into stories makes abstract ideas tangible. It’s about weaving learning into moments of connection, curiosity, and creativity—a combination that’s especially powerful at home.