5 ways to develop math skills of early learners at home
Did you know that children’s early years are a time of rapid learning?
According to various studies, children learn more quickly during ages 0 to 8 than at any other time in life. As formative years have a high impact on a child’s life-long journey, parents and guardians should use this time for enrichment activities to support children’s development, learning, and future success.
Why don’t you start with simple math skills? After all, math is everywhere. You can begin enriching the math skills of your early learners, even while you’re staying at home.
- Introduce math while doing daily tasks
Baking is in during the quarantine. While making the family’s favorite pastries, you can introduce numbers and measurements by asking your child: “How many cups of flour do I need? How many eggs do I have to add?” Loudly count numbers as you transfer the flour or egg into the mixing bowl and encourage your child to repeat the numbers after you. You may also use baking pans when teaching about shapes and cooking tools when teaching about measurements, such as teaspoons, milliliters, liters, and inches.
- Sing and repeat number nursery rhymes
The Internet has provided us with easy access to numerous nursery rhymes. Maximize it by playing number nursery rhymes and repeating them with your child whenever you can. You can even make it fun and interactive by swaying to the tune or incorporating other movements such as clapping or stomping.
- Represent numbers with colorful illustrations, objects
Several studies say that colors are effective in learning and play a significant role in enhancing memory performance. Use colorful illustrations, pictures, or objects when introducing numbers to your child. You may count the number of blooming flowers in the garden, fruits on the table, or crayons in the box.
- Emphasize number when reading stories
Besides math books for young kids, reading other age-appropriate reading materials also enables your child to become more familiar with numbers and basic math terms. After reading The Little Glass Slipper story, for example, you may emphasize that the main character Ella has two sisters and that the fairy reminds Ella to be back home by 10 p.m.
- Enroll in online learning programs
To give your child a head start in math before he/she begins formal schooling, you may also enroll him or her in online learning programs like Kumon.
At Kumon, your child studies colorful and engaging worksheets, which will help him/her develop basic skills, such as counting, number sequencing, and pencil grip. He/she gets to answer these worksheets every day and has scheduled online remote instruction sessions with a Kumon Instructor. The Kumon Instructor guides your child as he/she progresses from one worksheet to the next. This is to ensure that your child can achieve his/her fullest potential.
As your child’s very first teacher, you have the power to develop his or her math abilities, especially when you’re at home! But, there’s no need to fret because even the simplest activities at home will surely help!
