Math is everywhere, and we all perform math throughout our day, even preschool children who are just learning how math works. Introducing small kids to early math skills makes it easier for them to apply math skills as they get older. As they grow, they’ll have more need for math in everyday life, and every advantage matters.
Helping in the Kitchen
From counting the number of plates needed for dinner to helping bake cookies, mix juice, and many other things in the kitchen, math is an essential skill. When preschool children discover how math fits into their favorite food, they will have more confidence in the use of math and be more willing to apply it when needed.
Counting Coins
Counting coins is the first step in saving a fortune. Don’t expect your preschooler to save every penny, or even remember where they were put, but give her a few coins and practice counting. You can begin by counting the number of coins and progress into counting the value represented by the coins. Your child may not amass millions in the near future, but she can learn to offer exact change and how to pay at the checkout.
Time and Daily Routines
Routines are important to young children because set routines create fixed moments as the days go by. Learning how to tell time opens the door for children to explore the many ways that schedules and routines fill their days. Knowing how to tell time means discovering when each day starts for your child and having a fixed time when she goes to sleep at night. The passing minutes and hours are critical tools to understanding everything from mealtime to taking an evening shower.
The more you can insert math into your child’s activities, the more she will use math and understand how it affects her life. Start small, counting and sorting, and work your way up to more advanced math concepts. You aren’t trying to frighten her with fancy math tricks, just teach her that math affects so much of the world she lives in.