It's easy to believe that math ability is predetermined, but research has shown that many children can learn math skills as early as they develop language and social-emotional capabilities. That's why it's important to be aware of how children grow and learn, so you can support their educational development in ways that challenge but not frustrate them.
Counting: The Basics
Developing basic counting skills is an essential part of learning math. This includes knowing how to count objects, like steps on the stairs or how many cookies are eaten at snack time.
Measurement
Understanding measurement concepts is also an important skill for kids to acquire. For example, they may need to know how much a cup of water weighs or the distance they travel while playing outside.
You can introduce these concepts by cooking with your child, measuring ingredients for a favorite recipe or even playing with water.
Make Math Fun
A positive attitude towards mathematics can make a big difference in your child's ability to develop strong math skills. A negative approach to math can be frustrating for your child and lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. Instead, try to make math fun for your child by singing songs about numbers and counting or letting them play a fun game that teaches these skills.
Set the Table
Setting the table for a meal is another great way to teach your child about one-to-one correspondence, a basic math concept that's important for later math skills and other subjects.
Cooking is a perfect place to teach a variety of math skills, including counting, measuring, and even fractions. You can also incorporate a few games into your cooking sessions to make math more fun.
Gardening
Young children can enjoy helping in the garden, and a great way to build mathematical skills is by making a gardening project together as a family. This can be a great opportunity for younger children to learn about measurement, and older ones will love planning a planting schedule and checking the weather to ensure that plants are healthy.
Singing a Number-Based Song
Teaching children about numbers and counting isn't just about memorizing words, it's about connecting the concept to their lives and experiences. Singing songs that feature numbers and counting is a simple way to do just that, and it's an ideal activity for parents and caregivers to do with their little ones.
Taking Your Child to the Park
A great way for parents and caregivers to support a child's educational development is by taking them to the park. It's a great way to get out of the house, interact with other children, and build their confidence and social skills.
Having your child explore the outdoors in the early years is also an ideal opportunity to teach them basic math skills, such as counting, number sense, and graphing. You can also encourage your child to look for patterns in their environment, and find ways to clap and stomp while identifying these patterns.
By making math fun and engaging, we can help children develop a positive attitude toward mathematics, which is essential for building strong math skills. NowTech Academy believes in fostering a love for math and technology early on and provides STEM resources and education to support this development.