Children are natural mathematicians. They push
and pull toys, stack blocks, and fill and empty cups of water in the bathtub.
All of these activities allow young children to experience math concepts as
they experiment with spatial awareness, measurement, and problem solving. Young
children easily learn as they describe, explain, and consider the ideas from
their immediate environment. Am I as tall as John? How can I find out? I know!
We can both stand next to each other in front of the mirror.
Early math is not about the rote learning of
discrete facts like how much 5 + 7 equals. Rather, it’s about children actively
making sense of the world around them. Unlike drills or worksheets with one
correct answer, open-ended, playful exploration encourages children to solve
problems in real situations. Because the situations are meaningful, children
can gain a deeper understanding of number, quantity, size, patterning, and data
management. For example, it is easier to understand what six means when applied
to a real-life task such as finding six beads to string on a necklace or
placing one cracker on each of six plates.
Benefits of Math
·
Number Sense- number recognition,
counting skills
·
Geometry- recognizing and forming
of patterns and shapes
·
Measurement- weight, height, length,
etc.
·
Math Language- new vocabulary words
such as subtraction, addition, and comparison words like smaller, bigger,
heavier, etc.
·
Spatial Relationships
