Learning to count is an important milestone in the life of a child. As a parent, it is essential that you take the time with your child to assist them in learning their numbers and developing their counting skills. Many parents find that their child is not receptive to their techniques and may not be comprehending the lessons as planned. It could be that the child needs to see the activities more as something fun. Throughout this guide, I will be detailing some fun activities for teaching kids to count. It is important that you know and understand that children work best when they are having fun and playing. It is important to use this to your advantage when educating them.
Filed under Homeschool Activities, Learning, Math by More4kids
by Ann Bowers
The current teaching of mathematics is often weak in traditional schools. Children are taught math facts and are expected to learn them through rote memory drills. Often children are expected to complete worksheets and textbook exercises, rather than engage in math projects in which math and science concepts are discovered and applied. This results in a lack of understanding of math concepts and leads to poor preparation for the study of math at the university level.
Why is math teaching so poor? Sometimes teachers do not understand math well so they rely on textbooks and drills. Some teachers and parents believe that math is merely the memorization of calculation rules and basic facts. Teachers and parents often had no opportunities to explore math and learn concepts through real-life experiences. Poor grades or negative comments may have made math something to be avoided. Also, children who don’t master the basics fall quickly behind and give up trying to learn math. It’s very important that children are assessed regularly to make sure that they are mastering what is being taught and can use it appropriately.
Filed under Homeschooling, Math by More4kids
by Ann Bowers
Homeshooling can be fun, and whenever possible, learning math should also be fun. There are many games that teach math skills, such as: War (using a deck of cards), Monopoly, Blackjack (21), Yahtzee, Chess, and others. Flash cards can be used to create games such as Concentration, Gin Rummy, and others. Bingo and Go Fish games are great for ages 5 and up. You can make simple Bingo cards for children ages 3-4 to help them recognize numbers, colors, and shapes. Any game that uses a board and/or dice will help children learn to count.
Filed under Learning Skills, Math by More4kids
by Ann Bowers
- Failure to focus. Each year of education should focus on a set of topics that have specific objectives for learning. New topics should be introduced every year, along with added depth of study of topics that were introduced in prior years. Each topic should become more challenging each year, not just the same as it was the year prior.
- Too much repetition. Generally, a topic should be studied for three to four years. Basic multiplication does not have to be taught every year from age 7-13. The child should have mastered the multiplication tables (1-12) by age 10 or sooner. That’s four years (ages 7, 8, 9, 10) of learning them. Failure to do so may indicate a lack of sufficient effort and study time or a learning disability.
More on Homeschooling and the 7 Common Mistakes When Teaching Math
Filed under Homeschooling, Math, News by More4kids
by Ann Bowers
Math skills can start to be developed at a very early age. Here is a quick guide or cheat sheet that home schoolers can use that shows what math skills to work on based on your childs age.
Ages 1-3
- Count to 5.
- Put objects in order by size.
- Sort objects by shape and color.
- Learn the meaning of math vocabulary words, such as: big, small, large, tiny, round, etc.
- Learn to respond to math vocabulary commands such as: “Give me some pennies.” “Give me more pennies.” “Give me fewer pennies.” “Put the penny (in, above, below, beside, inside, outside, underneath, over) the glass.” “Put the penny between the glasses.”
- Learn concepts about volume by playing with rice or sand and various kinds of containers.
- Learn concepts about volume by playing with water and various kinds of containers.
Filed under Homeschooling, Math by More4kids
