There are two important ways you can help your young children with Maths.
- Through conversation, stories, rhymes, games, etc.
- Developing children's mathematical vocabulary and understanding by involving them in
your day to day maths.
Conversation, stories, rhymes and games.
When you read a story which involves numbers make a point of discussing the maths
involved.
Talk about the numbers in Nursery Rhymes and songs.
Rhymes and counting are very valuable means of helping young children form concepts,
particularly about number.
- Stories
Have you noticed how many stories for young children involve numbers? Think of
Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This is particularly good for one-to-one matching, how
many bowls, spoons, chairs, beds are needed?
The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and the Three
Little Pigs are other examples; there are many more.
- Rhymes
Similarly many nursery rhymes and songs are number based. 'One, two, three,
four, five', 'One, two, Buckle my Shoe', 'Five currant buns' and 'Five
little speckled frogs'.
- Games
Playing games with your children can help with number recognition, and matching
one-to-one. These need not be expensive board games; young children are encouraged now to
invent their own games. Explaining the rules to you may help to clarify some ideas in
their own minds.
There are many games using numbers, most involving dice. There are also games involving
shape matching especially for very young children.
Talk maths whenever the opportunity arises. Involve the children in the maths you have
to do as part and parcel of your daily routine.
Imaginative play, role play, sand and water play give plenty of scope for mathematical
experiences.
However you feel you can help your child the most important thing is to encourage your
children to observe, talk and question.
Developing children's mathematical vocabulary
In many activities there is the opportunity to extend mathematical vocabulary. Much of
the vocabulary is common to all activities. Here is a basic, but by no means exhaustive,
list of some of the words that you could encourage your children to use:
