Mathematics is important in everyday life; therefore, parents and caregivers should teach their children since they were young before they can learn this subject in school. However, it is a matter of parroting rather than teaching numbers because children who have received the preparedness for basic skills in math and reading are better learners when entering into a kindergarten. In addition, it is found that the math skills involve with ability in the future as much as the skills of reading and meditation.
Parents are crucial in the development of basic skills in mathematics from toddler to 5 years then children will use these skills in performing his daily activities and events for example, climbing up and down the ladder, sharing toys or sweets to siblings or friends. Developing skills through these activities is vital to the readiness of children to schooling so that they can solve mathematics problems in school in a fast pace.
Math skills needed for the baby before going to school
Observing the same or different objects
Teaching the children to observe the items or objects similar in size, shape, color, as well as to see what children see every day. For instance, have children look at things that they see every day such as their appliances. Let them observe what objects are similar or while taking the kids to different places, parents pick the falling leaves on the ground. Having observed the color of the leaves, children will see that the leaves are mostly green but some leaves have different colors. The shapes are both similar and different and so on.
Comparing the same or different type of objects
Teach the children to compare two things or objects with parts based on the length, height and weight like big- small, long short, tall- short, light heavy. Early stage of teaching, the same type of objects should be used to teach. When children do it well, change to a different object or objects. Once they can do it well, start with 3 objects for the "comparative degree" such as bigger- smaller, longer- shorter, taller- shorter, heavier- lighter, which tells the children how to estimate as well.
Reordering Objects: Instruct children how to order objects by size, length, height and weight, for instance, sorting from the biggest to the smallest or from the longest to the shortest or from the tallest to the shortest, etc.
Measurements: Teach Children to calculate the length, height and weight of an object by using measurements in inches, feet, pounds, or timer (in minutes).
Counting: Teach the children to match one to one. Compare the two groups of items as to understand the meaning of equal, not equal, more or less. Count numbers orally forward-backward. Probably, teach them to learn counting, such as counting the number of body organs, counting the family members, counting number of fruits or snacks while having a break or counting the total number of things the children are exposed to them frequently, etc. When a child can pick the correct items with correct amount, teach them the relationship of numbers and amount by representing the amount with numbers.
Shapes and Sizes: Teach children to recognize the relationship of size, shape, area, position, direction and movement. These will later be the foundation for learning geometry. Guide children to talk about things in the house whether what shapes they are. For example, what are in circle, square or triangle in our house? When children begin to tell the basic shape, gradually teach them more difficult shapes.
Classification: Teach children to organize objects into categories according to the nomenclatures, for instance, a pile of spoons, a pile of mugs, a pile of bowls. And categorize according to the manner prescribed, for example, a pile of costumes, a pile of fruits, a pile of appliances, a pile of animals, etc.
Grouping: Teach children to bring them together to form a bigger pile with more quantity. For example, there are 3 oranges combined with 2 apples making a total of 5 fruits, etc.
Division: Tell them to separate the aggregated piles of the same items, such as a pile of two types of toys. Then ask them to split into two identical piles of toys and so on.
Good tips for parents in taking their kids to do activities to promote pleasure an improve mathematics
Creating Shapes: Take your kids to play shape sorting game, discuss with them about each kind of shapes, count their sides and tell the colors. Create the shape by themselves by cutting large shapes from colored paper. Ask them to jump on the circle or on colored paper.
Counting and Sorting: Gather a basket of small toys available in the house, such as shells, pebbles or buttons. Count them with your children and sort them by size, color or group such as sorting car into one pile and another pile for animals.
Telephone: when children reach 3 years old, start guiding them home address and phone number. Talk to them that each house has the house number. So does each apartment.
Sizes of Objects: Ask them to observe objects around them then let them tell the sizes of subjects whether they are larger or largest, smaller or smallest.
Cooking: Let the children help pour and mix ingredients. This activity will help them learn how to count, measure, add and estimate the quantity.
Strolling: Learn by walking with short and long step then estimate the distance. Practice counting as counting the steps while walking from one place to another.
Telling Time: Use an hourglass or stopwatch to take a short time event. This will help kids develop time awareness and understand that some activities take longer time than other activities.
Differentiating Shapes: Point to the shapes of various colors found during the day such as yellow triangular sign or red rectangular shape in a store.
Singing Songs About Numbers: Songs involving numbers with the rhythm and melody to sing repeatedly will reinforce a pattern in the mathematical skill. In addition, using fun language and boost social skills in cooperation for kids as well.
Using Calendar: Talking about the dates and days of the week will uphold counting, sequence and pattern.Buildthe skills of reasonable thinking by talking about cool weather and then ask children what dress they should wear when it's cold. This will allow a kid to make a link between the cool weatherand warm clothes to wear.
Giving Things Out: Tell a kid to help distribute the objects, such as snacks or putting napkins on the dinner table. Help distribute biscuits to each of his friends. This will help him understand the matching of objects to the corresponding numbers. While distributing the objects, emphasize the concept of numbers like one for you, one for me, one for father or putting on one side or two sides of the shoes.
Stacking Wooden Blocks: Give the kids a chance to play wooden blocks, plastic Lego, empty boxes, milk cartons, etc. This will help them learn about shapes and relationships among different shapes. For example, two triangles together form a square. Playing boxes and cups makes a baby understand the relationship of objects in different sizes.
Playing Tunnels: Open each side of a large cardboard box to make a tunnel. Make your baby understand that the body is in a space and relative to other objects.
The Length of Objects: Cut 3-5 pieces of ribbons, yarns or papers in different lengths. Ask a kid which piece is short, which piece is long. And then tell a child to put them in order from the longest piece to the shortest piece.
Learning through Touching: Cut the cardboard into various shapes such as spheres, triangles and squares. Let a child touch them while the eyes are open. Then blindfold and touch.
Playing a Pattern Game: Let a child enjoy playing with different patterns like dry macaroni, assorted sizes of beads, various types of cereal or small pieces of papers with patterns. This activity must be handled carefully to prevent choking. Keep everything in place after finish.
Learn from helping with housework, such as having fun while washing. Tell a kid to separate clothes before washing. Let a child put shirts and socks in a separate pile. Ask whether which pile is bigger to practice conjecture. Then let him count the number of shirts or play socks matching game.
Playground: While playing, do the comparison by using the height (high - low) position (top - bottom) or size (large and small).
Getting Dressed: Tell a kid to choose clothes to wear today and ask him what color he or she would like to wear, then let him or her find something yellow in the room. When a kid reaches the age of three or more, notices the pattern on his shirt such as color stripes or images and then tell him or her the color, pattern and detail of clothes.
Creating Graph Games: At the age of three or more, make a chart of pictures that the kid can place stickers on it each time there is rain or sun shine. On weekends together estimate which line have more stickers followed by the counting to ensure the guessing.
Therefore, Mathematic skill is one of important skills as well as language physical and social skills. These skills will be developed together and influence one another. We can prepare basic mathematic skills during early childhood because from birth to six years is the maximum period for brain development in all aspects.
References
1. Developing Early Math Skills. Available from http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/early-development/supporting-early-math-skills.html.
2. Early Childhood: Where Learning Begins - What Is Mathematics? : Mathematical activities for parents and their 2- to 5-year-old children. Available from http://www.kidsource.com/education/math/whatis.html.
3. Teaching Mathematical Concepts. Available from http://s22318.tsbvi.edu/mathproject/ch1.asp#main.
4.Nittaya Kotchapakdee. Child Development: Wandee Varavit, Praputh Siripunya, Surang Jiamjanya, Editors. Pediatric Textbookตำรากุมารเวชศาสตร์ (Rearranged Version, Vol.3).Bangkok: Holistic Publishing, BE2541 :P1-6.
5. Noppawan Sriwongpanich//BE2554//Children with Developmental Disabilities//Access to:https://www.rajanukul.com/main/index.php?mode=academic&group=&submode=academic&idgroup=12&group=1
6. Assistant Professor Dr. Anchalee Saiwan//BE2556//Math for Early Childhood//Access to:
http://www.e-child-edu.com/youthcenter/content/articles/math-for-child.html
