Mathematics
Long before entering school,
children are interested in math and numbers. They begin to develop math skills as they hand one cookie to
each of their friends, divide a sandwich in half to share with a brother or
sister, pour water from one container to another, put all the big buttons in
one pile and the smaller ones in another, or clap a rhythmic pattern to words or
a song. Everyday experiences
prepare children to understand mathematics.
Tips and Activities:
- Play number games with your child.You and your child can count the
number of steps when walking up a set or stairs, count the number of
apples in a bag or count the number of toys on the shelf.
- Read and talk about numbers in counting books,
pointing and counting the objects on each page. Sing songs with patterns or clap out patterns.
- Have your child help count pennies and help you
count paper money.
- Talk about time, such as “It is 11:30 – time for
lunch” and “It is 9:00 – time for bed.”
- Ask your child questions such as “Which object
is bigger or smaller?” or “Which person is taller or shorter?”
- Give your child objects to sort and count, such
as different colored and shaped blocks, leaves, buttons, or plastic
animals.
- When taking a walk or shopping, ask your child
to point to objects that are the same shape and ones that are shaped like
squares, triangles, or circles.
- Ask children to measure things around the home
using pieces of string or long blocks.