Math is Everywhere!

I believe with encouragement from teachers and parents, young children can develop the necessary skills for life-long success and confidence in math just by interacting with the world around them. When I was young, my teachers always said that Math is 'hard' and 'difficult' and that actually demotivate me to learn Math and nothing went into my head during Math lesson! But now I am teaching Math to my little children and I want to tell them that Math is easy and simple! I wnat them to know that Math is FUN!

In fact, there are many fun and easy ways to introduce important math skills to young children without using the drill-and-practice method just like how I experienced during my school days. Developmentally, the best methods for encouraging young children to develop math skills include: using hands-on or concrete materials, promote discovery through exploration, posing questions that spark intellectual and verbal involvement  and ppromoting problem solving skills.

The math concepts which are important for young children to learn may seem simple, but they are the foundation for later understanding of mathematical relationships and processes. In our daily activities with children, we can use some Math concepts that we can foster in young children. We can teach children about comparison (bigger, smaller,m longer, shorter, heavier, lighter), sorting and classifying by color, shape, texture and size. We can bring children awareness to patterning and also meaningful counting (count one at a time and backwards). All this can be done even during our routine time.

 

In this technological world, it is important for children to be comfortable with mathematics, but in a fun way! Below are some simple examples on how I teach children important math skills using simple object and materials.

Comparison

• Put different objects (an orange, a sponge, keys, a stuffed toy, etc.) in a paper bag. With eyes closed, a child draws two objects from a paper bag and feels them to discover which one is larger, heavier, or softer.

• Match lengths of yarn to the distances toy cars roll. Compare the distances by putting the yarn pieces next to each other.

Sorting and Classifying

• Collect objects such as milk jug caps, feathers, marbles, and sponges. Ask the children to guess which objects will float and which items will sink. Put the objects in water to see if the children's predictions are correct.

• Bring different kinds of buttons into the classroom. Ask the children to sort the buttons according to color, texture, number of holes, etc.

Patterning

• Make a necklace out of colored cereal. Alternate the colors to make a pattern. Then eat the necklace at snack time.  

As a teacher, I am the facilitator therefore when the children are engaged in play activities I take this opportunity to extend their learning by asking questions such as: What do you think will happen if we add more to one side? Why do you think that one went faster than the other one? Are these shapes alike or different? How did you discover that? I see a pattern, do you? How many more do you need to make 10? 

In conclusion, when we explore mathematical concepts with young children, the central question to ask is, "Are we having fun?" Promoting an attitude of delight and fascination with numbers will encourage children to embrace, rather than fear math. When we combine young children's curiosity about their world with an environment full of hands-on materials and experiences, we are helping to create lifelong learners.