Math and Numbers

Learning activities with foam numbers and fridge magnets can easily be part of your child’s play. These are more than fun, plus  are inexpensive toys. They are tools to help your child develop math confidence instead of math anxiety. (Of course, because they are small, these are not good for kids who chew on toys or put them in the mouth.)

Not all refrigerators these days are magnetic, but there are some things you can use instead. The dishwasher may be a substitute or try a metal cookie sheet, the bigger the better.

With a small bucket of numbers, kids can play over and over. At first, kids will put the numbers on randomly. They will switch them around and maybe even line them all up. This may not look like a serious brain activity, but gradually children are getting used to seeing the shape and form of each number. Out of all the millions of ways lines can go, only a few will form numbers. Kids need to simply see numbers many, many times so they can form a mental image of each number shape.

Foam numbers also aid kids in creating a picture in their mind of each number. These won’t stick on anything but they are fun to spread out all over the rug or floor. These are much softer and rounder than the plastic numbers, so kids may like to carry them around. Being able to play with numbers means kids do not view them as scary or threatening.

With either toy, we can extend children’s play and help them develop their number sense. For instance, put the numbers in order and say the names with your child. As children get to know numbers, mix them up and ask your child to find a specific number. The 1 is easiest to find but no matter which number, we can clap and cheer when they get it. Another way to play is let kids ask us to find a number. When your child is pretty accurate, have a hard time finding the right number and let your child help you. Remember to clap and cheer for yourself. Once they know which number has which name, kids can have a parade with 1 at the front, 9 at the back, and the rest in order.

What other learning activities with foam numbers and fridge magnets can you suggest?

Including lots of counting activities for kids helps them feel comfortable with math. We all want kids to have math confidence instead of math anxiety. (We also want that for grownups.)

What can parents and caregivers do? We can be like Count von Count and have fun with counting. Here are 10 ordinary, everyday counting activities for kids.

1. When getting up in the morning, count to make sure there are two feet and one didn’t get left in the bed. You can cover up one foot with the sheet and keep looking for it. Kids soon figure out the joke. For older kids, count toes to make sure there are still ten. You can make a few ‘mistakes’ and let kids correct you.

2. Count buttons on shirts, polka dots on socks, or whatever you can when kids are dressing. The buttons can be on either your shirt or your child’s. Encourage your child to say the numbers with you.

3. At the table, there will be something to count: bowls, cups, spoons, or some other objects.

4. As kids are playing, you can count a few toys. These could be cars, blocks, dolls, balls or other toys.

5. In the playground, count 10 pushes on the swing, then take a break. Ask your child if he or she would like 10 more? Then, both of you can count again.

6. If you go out today, choose a fairly short distance and count the number of steps from the door to the sidewalk or to the car.

7. Laundry can be almost a daily activity. Pick out something to count, like socks.

8. For a snack, you may be able to ask a child how many pieces of some fruit or veggie /he can eat. You can put some out and together count to check.

9. Kids can count and choose 3 books for you to read to them. This doesn’t have to wait for bedtime.

10. Counting is a good strategy to put things away. Have your child pick out 5 things to put on a shelf or in a toy box. Of course, more than 5 things may be on the floor so count in a different voice. How many different voices can you use?

Learning to count is similar to learning to walk. Just like first steps are wobbly, so are first attempts at counting. Children need to repeat counting many, many times. These ordinary, everyday ways to count help kids develop a basic math skill, their number sense, and, even more importantly, a positive attitude. Right, Count?

Brought to You by the Number 4 May the 4th be with you. The fun with the date is because of the play on words and play on numbers. So today’s play-of-the-day is some number fun. In particular, the number 4. Four is a gr8t number. There are lots of toys like cars and trucks … Continue reading Number Fun: May the 4th Be With You →