Building math skills at an early age sets kids up for success in the subject. Since math plays a role in many real world situations, math practice provides kids with a valuable life skill for the future. Integrating math activities into daily life with kids is easier than it sounds. The exposure helps them make connections which they can transfer into math class at school.
Positive Attitude
A positive attitude toward math sets a good example for your child. If memories of your school math experience cause anxiety, try to keep your feelings in perspective. Avoid making comments that cast a negative attitude toward math. The U.S. Department of Education recommends against comments about math being difficult or being able to succeed in life without it. Instead focus on the value of math and how it can apply in life as a child and an adult. Approach math with a positive attitude about learning and enjoying math together.
Grocery Store Math
The grocery store provides many opportunities for learning math beginning with toddlers. Most grocery store aisles are numbered giving toddlers and preschoolers a chance to practice number recognition. Asking your child to retrieve a particular number of items from the shelf gives young kids a chance to practice counting. The price of items offers older kids the chance to count money, round and add dollar amounts. Another option is to have an older child calculate which size of container is the best value. For example, you might have them compare the value of a quart, half gallon and gallon of milk to determine which one is the most cost-effective. Grocery store math gives kids real-world math learning experiences.
Manipulatives
Manipulatives offer a hands-on approach to learning a variety of math skills. Math manipulatives are simply small objects used as counters to represent different numbers or concepts. Teacher supply stores sell math counters which are often in the shape of bears and made from plastic. To save money, find items around the house to use. Paper clips, dry beans, uncooked pasta or buttons work just as well. Teach kids to add by having them count out two different piles of the counters. Have them combine the pile and count again. Apply the same principle with subtraction, multiplication and division. The manipulatives also work to help kids figure out story problems and other math concepts.
Building Blocks
Math is a progressive subject which builds on prior math knowledge. Repetitive practice of math basics ensures that your child has a solid understanding before moving on to more complicated concepts. A child needs to recognize numbers before he can add them. Test your child's knowledge of the basic math concepts in everyday situations. For example, check for number recognition by asking your child to identify random numbers on street signs. Even after your child moves on to addition, subtraction and other math concepts, go back to the basics, such as counting and number recognition for review.
