In our adult years, calculus and trigonometry put a damper on passion for math...for many of us, anyhow. :) A college math professor of mine said something very profound about this passion for math. "At some point in your life, someone ruined math for you. Don't be the teacher that does this to another child." How true!
As parents and teachers, we need to be the inspiration for our child's math skills. Know that math and pre-math skills do NOT start at the elementary level...it starts NOW! I'd like to outline in this blog some ideas for you, from infancy until preschool, on how to incorporate lessons into your young child's life--and along with it, a passion for mathematics!
INFANTS AND VERY YOUNG TODDLERS
Math isn't just about counting--it's about reasoning, logic, and matching as well. Activities that you can do with your baby all the way into toddlerhood include:
-Counting simple objects at every opportunity
-Matching things: Pairs of shoes, flashcards, two of anything you can find. Start with small amounts and then work your way into more objects and more subtle differences. You will be amazed at how your young child can match!
-Measuring: scoop, pour and spoon. Use water, rice, peas, sand, cereal, or whatever other material that your child can safely use. For the young baby who is still "oral", try edible items like cheerios.
Here is a great printable just in time for Halloween--goofy teeth matching! :)
Goofy Tooth Match
Also, here is a great article on turning "bath time" into "math time"!
Bath Math
PRESCHOOLERS
The preschool age child will enjoy all the activities above--but you can take it to the next level with more exposure to numbers, more advanced concepts, and more opportunities to count.
-Seriation and patterning: Simple activities can promote these ideas. Seriation is the successive patterning of objects, such as small to large. Even making something as simple as a snowman--three white circles, small, medium and large--can help facilitate these ideas. A caterpillar with successively large or small circles as the body also works. You can cut out shapes of any kind and ask your child to arrange or glue them to paper in the order of small to large, or large to small. Patterning, ofcourse, is trying a different pattern. Try a very simple pattern to start, for example: red circle, blue square. Preschool age children will catch on very quickly. Take things slowly and add more pattern peices as your child is ready. This is also a great way to introduce shapes!
-Time as a math concept: Count calendar days with your child each day to help them understand how numbers relate to time and our everyday lives. Try using a kitchen timer to help them understand concepts of time. You can say things like, "Let's see if we can pick up these blocks in one minute, by the time the bell rings." Not only is is an effective tool for transitioning and directing children, but it helps to cement the idea of minutes and the concept of time. Point out the hands on a clock to your child and talk about your daily schedule--what happens when. Not only is this directly relative to numbers, but it is also a part of patterning.
-How math relates to the individual: How old is your child? What is their birthday? What is their address? Phone number? Not only this is information important for them to learn for personal safety, it is basic MATH!
-Make counting fun: Try different themes for counting. For example, Halloween is around the corner. This week, for my son, I took a plastic baggy and marked it with the number "10" with a magic marker. I told him he could have a treat if he could count 10 candy corn and put them into his bag. He was more than happy to comply! =)
Make counting cups--recyled plastic applesauce cups or baby food jars wtih permanent marker dots on them to signify numbers. Use beans, candy, or other small objects like paper clips to count things out.
-Ask how many. Use each opportunity to help your child classify, count and identify objects. Ask them to be descriptive.
Dont waste any teachable moment, and you will be on the road to creating a little math wizard!
Check out these additional resources for great preschool math ideas!
Preschool theme: Counting and Numbers
PreK Smarties
Hundreds of themed preschool math ideas on PerpetualPreschool.com
Preschool Math Printables (Worksheets)
And finally, one book suggestion that has a CD with songs and also manipulatives graphics to print! I own this book and let me tell you--kids LOVE it. It is so wonderful!
"Math Magic" for ages 3-7
111 pg book with CD
Burton and Campbell
Order here: Order Math Magic at Songsforteaching.com
