You may think that it is difficult to show your child the basics of math around the house or in your every day activities. Or perhaps you think that your child is too young to work out addition, let alone long division. Well, math is more than adding and subtracting numbers. Math includes sorting, sequencing and measurements too! Young children begin understanding mathematic concepts based upon sequencing. Learning how to use key words like "first", "next", "then" and "last" can be the building blocks of this sequencing concept.
Activity Ideas
How about washing the car?
(Take a couple of pictures with your cell phone to review the concept later.)
When you finish with the FUN part of washing it in the nice weather....
Talk to your child about the sequence of events while you review the pictures.
Examples:
"First the car was dirty and dusty"
"Then what happened?"
"What did we do next?"
"What did we do last?"
"Now how does the car look and feel?"
Grocery shopping and cooking can also be wonderful exercises in your child's learning process. Although most parents dread the aisle 3 tantrums, if you approach your outing as a learning experience where your child can participate, it may change your experiences. Sorting can take place while you are shopping and while you are at home unloading the groceries.
Examples:
"Can we put all the fruits and vegetables on this side of the cart?"
"Let's put all of the things that come in boxes together on the table."
"Can you find two things that are red?"
When you are cooking, measurements and quantities are all points of reference. Whether you are making a basic cake mix or a fruit salad, your child can help you and learn math skills in the process.
Examples:
"We need 2 cups of water. Can you find the '2' on the measuring cup?"
"The recipe says we need 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Let's count. 1...2"
"How many grapes should we put in the fruit salad?"
"If we put in one cup of apples, how many cups of pineapple should we put in?"
Click below for more ideas, no matter the age of your child
www.mathcats.com
http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Math/mathhome.html
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