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HELPFUL MATH TIPS
Work on counting in the correct sequence from one through 10.
Try counting objects or food items in the house that are groups of ten.
Using their finger count out 10 blocks, 10 fish crackers, 10 puzzle pieces, 10
buttons, etc.
Use Math vocabulary such as "more",
"less", "larger", "smaller", etc. in
conversation with your child. Which bowl has more ice cream in it?
Talk about numbers and use number concepts in daily routines
with your child. For example, ask your child how many plates do we need
on the table, then count out each plate.
Set up a calendar in your home. Help your child start
understanding time through days, months, years. Concepts of
"today", "tomorrow", and "yesterday" are very
abstract and difficult for some children to grasp. Count the days each
morning. It helps to mark special occasions or events on the calendar so
your child becomes excited about counting how many more days until the event.
Teach your child important numbers such as the home phone
number, home address, and his/her age.
Play games that involve numbers and memory skills, which help develop a
better understanding of math.
Help your child make patterns with colored objects such as blocks, cubes,
sticks (blue-red-green, then ask your child to make the same pattern
blue-red-green).
Use small food items like cereal or crackers and place 3 items on one side
of the table and 2 items on the other side of the table. Have your child
count the items. Then push the items together and ask your child to
count all the items. Then show your child a flash card with the equation
3+2=5. Understanding corresponding numbers to objects is the first step
in learning to solve math problems.
Many children learn to count by tens (10s) and can learn their math facts
better by keeping the number 10 in mind when adding or subtracting. For
example, 9 + 5, have your child think of 9 as a 10, then the problem would be
10 + 5, and subtract one (1).
When learning multiplication facts, make up rhymes or songs to help your
child recall the difficult facts. For example, 7 x 7 was never on time,
until he ran into Mr. 49; or 8 x 4 forgot what to do, so she called up number
32.
Use concrete examples when trying to teach fractions. For example,
slices of pizza is a good way to teach that they can only eat 2/8 of the pizza
or you could say, "If I eat 7/8 of this pizza pie, how many pieces of
pizza would you get to eat?"
Make math fun, but most of all meaningful.
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