Years Prep to 2

Research supports the claim that chilldren need many experiences in making, counting, drawing and talking about numbers. It is clear the developing numeracy skills early lays the foundations for your child’s learning and development but how can you do this as a parent? Luckily, this is quite an easy task as once we take note of the mathematics around us, we notice that it is everywhere - at home, in the playgrounds and at the shops. So how do we incorporate our world into teaching it? Here are a few examples suggested by the Department of Education. And please remember, maths is not about speed. Focus on the process and not the outcome.

Doing maths together at home

Talk about maths. Use mathematical language like ‘a litre’ or a ‘kilogram’ when cooking or even words such as ‘empty’ of ‘full’. Everyday conversations about your child’s movement such as ‘over’ the fence and ‘under’ the table also helps you child grasp their own spatial awareness.  Sorting piles of ‘same’ and ‘different’, recycling into differing piles - making comparisons and sorting all all powerful mathematical concepts. 

Counting

Count everyday.  For young children, counting is one of their first maths experiences. Children will often say or sing a number before the know what it looks like. Keep this activity up. Listen to many and varied songs and rhymes - use fingers, toes, buttons, toys - almost anything to count. 

Other everyday counting activities

Cut fruit into six pieces and ask your child to count the pieces; count the pieces of toast you cooked at breakfast; add the total number of cutlery items at the table; Count the number of people travelling in the car or on the bus; count the number of houses as you walk along the street.

Hunting for numbers 

Always a fun and engagin activity, get your child to notice numbers around them. Look at and say the numbers on car number plates, signs, calendars, newspapers, shopping catalogues, speed signs, and houses.

Play shop

Need I say anymore. Use sticky notes for prices, talk about money, collect receipts and circle most expensive item, create coin rubbings, order food in weight (heft the items or use scales), look at the people and animals on our money - a plethora of actitvities here.

These are only some activities that encourage mathematical dialogue, helo cement understanding and show chuldren that maths really is fun!