A joke goes, "there are 10 kinds of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't". I am with the latter. Math has always been an intimidating subject for me, so each school day I try and make the effort for my students to love it! I do hope that they grow up understanding theorems and polynomials better than I did.
In a related article on Math Anxiety (fear in math), one legitimate cause of it is that building blocks are missing. Without the basic foundations, a child's background on the subject is weak and therefore that child will experience difficulty in advancing to more complicated lessons. Other reasons for Math Anxiety are Math is thought of as boring, takes too much time and is just too complicated.
In a related article on Math Anxiety (fear in math), one legitimate cause of it is that building blocks are missing. Without the basic foundations, a child's background on the subject is weak and therefore that child will experience difficulty in advancing to more complicated lessons. Other reasons for Math Anxiety are Math is thought of as boring, takes too much time and is just too complicated.
As a teacher for young children, it is important to promote math as an enjoyable subject and integrate it in play. Just recently, the kinder kids were introduced to currency. To help them understand (and appreciate) the value of money, I opened the Teacher's Store. When the children finish their task or "job" for the day, they earn P20 in play money. Their "salary" is fixed and may be spent in the store. The store is stocked with small items ranging from P5-25 and bigger, nicer toys priced at P100 and P500. It is up to the kids whether they want to spend or save. It amazes me how much restraint they have just to save for an item they have their eye on. They also look forward to pretending to make withdrawals from the bank before shopping!
Math is generally abstract, and we as adults tend to over-think how to promote mathematical thinking in children. But really, mathematical concepts are disguised in simple hands-on activities. Here are some math activities we, Childstart teachers, integrate in our classroom.
Math is generally abstract, and we as adults tend to over-think how to promote mathematical thinking in children. But really, mathematical concepts are disguised in simple hands-on activities. Here are some math activities we, Childstart teachers, integrate in our classroom.
Counting
We use materials that is interesting for youngsters, like small cars and fruits, for assigning quantities. You may use other more common items, such as pebbles, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, crayons, etc.
We use materials that is interesting for youngsters, like small cars and fruits, for assigning quantities. You may use other more common items, such as pebbles, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, crayons, etc.
Sorting
Sorting promotes children's ability to organize. And we just about sort everything in school -- by color, size, shape, texture, etc. Clean up time is basically sorting time.
Sorting promotes children's ability to organize. And we just about sort everything in school -- by color, size, shape, texture, etc. Clean up time is basically sorting time.
Teacher Cat sorting blocks with toddlers.
Patterns
Patterns are everywhere and it doesn't take long before young kids are able to discern them from their environment! We use chains, beads and strings, and other items to improve patterning skills.
Patterns are everywhere and it doesn't take long before young kids are able to discern them from their environment! We use chains, beads and strings, and other items to improve patterning skills.
Geometry
As the children play with blocks/ 3D shapes, tangrams, and other manipulatives they start fitting them together to create buildings, houses, cars and other objects that make sense to them.
As the children play with blocks/ 3D shapes, tangrams, and other manipulatives they start fitting them together to create buildings, houses, cars and other objects that make sense to them.
Airport by a 4y.o. girl. According to her, the plane is going to Hong Kong
Math in Themes
Various math concepts are integrated into our learning themes, like Home and Family, as seen on the photo.
Various math concepts are integrated into our learning themes, like Home and Family, as seen on the photo.
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