Helping children develop their language skills seems much more natural than helping them learn about numbers and how they work. After all, talking, reading books, telling stories, singing, etc. all seem to blend into the day. As for math, we almost need to remind ourselves to pop in a few numbers every now and then as kids are playing and learning. Once we’ve done this a few times though it’s much easier and we find there are many natural opportunities to include numbers.

One of the most basic concepts that children learn, first at home and then later at kindergarten, is that each number relates to a specific amount. The numbers up to 4 are fairly easy to visualize, the numbers 5 and up much harder. That’s why this is both an early kindergarten readiness and a primary grade skill. Lots of experiences are needed and here are a few ideas: counting out dishes, pasta, fruit, veggies, toys, lids, cereal pieces,  and even socks. Do 9 exercises, such as 9 touch your toes, 9 jumping jacks, 9 hops on each foot, 9 side bends, and more.  

9 is a very common number and can be spotted just about anywhere, including stores. It’s easy to draw, too. First a circle, then a line. Either going or coming today, I’m sure you and your child will see lots of 9’s. Can you take this idea to the 9’s?

What number is the fastest? 8 is the fastest number because it really zooms–just ask a race track. Today, our kindergarten readiness fun will be the number 8 and our learning will really make tracks!

Pirate treasure coins are called Pieces of 8. For some counting fun with your child, find a small box like a shoe box or tissue box and put in some pieces of treasure to count. Treasure could be frozen juice lids that are silver and shiny, jar lids, plastic container lids, or other shapes that could be jewels, too. Do some counting together with this treasure. Scoop some out for you and ask your child who has more? Invite a couple stuffed animals to share the treasure and count for them, too. Your child can play and explore counting, making groups, hiding and finding the treasure and other games that s/he makes up.
Have your child hold up 2 hands, with fingers open, and then tuck in the 2 thumbs. Now, how many fingers are there? Count them together. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. 8? Ate? Then pretend to gobble them up and tell your child “Yum, I ate them.” Of course, this only works with children that are old enough to clue into the 8/ate play on words.

Laughing and having a good time while learning is one of the best readiness for kindergarten lessons. Children are then eager to learn instead of hesitant and fearful. Are you having a gr8t day?

Q. Why was the number 6 afraid of 7?
A. Because 7 8(ate) 9.

7 isn’t a scary number–it’s wonder-full. Think of the 7 wonders of the world. What else has the number 7? 7 days of the week, 7 dwarfs, 7 names for musical notes, 7 Chinese Brothers, James Bond 007, summer holidays is month 7, 7 Little Goats (and 1 wolf).

The number 7 does seem magical as children explore and learn quantity. 5 is quite a natural number. It’s easy to see and feel. 6 is a fairly easy number, also. After all, it’s good ol’ 5 plus 1 more. But 7 is really quite a few. In my experience–I have no research or data to back this up, only my own observation–once children grasp how many things it takes to make 7, it seems that they learn the rest of the numbers in hardly any time at all. 7 seems to be a turning or tipping point.

Your child may or may not be ready to connect 7 to that quantity, but just like many other kindergarten readiness skills, this develops with lots of playing and discovering. Today, you and your child may find a time when you can  explore 7: counting 7 buttons on a shirt, making a tower of 7 yogurt containers, putting 7 spoons in the dishwasher. You may want to wear off some energy by asking your little one to jump 7 times or hop. Is 7 giant steps enough to go down the hall?

Readiness for kindergarten grows over time, just like our kids do. And isn’t it magical how children develop and learn? What magic did you do today with 7?

Hoppin’ right along with the series of blog posts on some early math skills, started before Easter, we get to the number 6. Lots of experiences with numbers and counting is helpful for kindergarten readiness. While a dice isn’t a typical toy, kids enjoy playing with one, having fun and learning at the same time. Because … Continue reading Readiness for Kindergarten – Roll Some Math Fun →