by Peggy Emde
Math is a subject that may strike fear with many of us, even though it is such a vital part of our everyday lives! Children begin using math very early on, which helps us understand, math is more than addition, subtraction, and counting. The Basics focus on Count, Group, and Compare is great, but let’s start at the beginning of math learning.
During their first-year children begin to build the foundation of math. They become aware of sequence by predicting events, such as seeing a bottle and having an awareness of what comes next. Infants begin to learn basic cause and effect when they throw their food from the high chair and see what happens (No, they are not just trying to drive you nuts!). They begin to understand basic concepts about sizes, big, little, etc. Another basic math skill learned during this time is beginning to understand quantities; a little, more, and enough!
Talk with your baby about what is happening, what is about to happen, and what just happened. In other words, share a running narrative of your actions, as well as theirs. Use math language with children during interactions and conversation, with terms that help them learn about quantities; “that’s a lot of toys, that was too much,” etc.
During the toddler years (1 year up to 3 years), children begin grasping the concept of alike and different. This happens as they begin to recognize different shapes, colors, etc. This shows the ability to sort by a simple characteristic, such as color. They begin to grasp that numbers mean how many, for example using fingers to show how many years old they are.
Toddlers also begin exploring quantities by filling and emptying containers, asking for items by using math terms, such as “I want two cookies”. They begin the foundation of learning about geometry, by becoming aware of how they move in spaces, how to fit items in spaces, what will fit and won’t fit.
Think about your day with a toddler. How many opportunities do you have to help them count, group, and compare? Count while serving food, setting the table, or even pumps of soap. Help them sort colors, and ask which are red, green, and blue. Compare sizes and shapes of items.
Just like when they were younger, use math language. Build on the vocabulary they already understand with new words, such as equal, math, the same, or narrow.
All of these skills are vital for children if they are to develop not only the foundation for learning math concepts, but an eagerness and excitement for all learning. How we provide these opportunities is just as important. Know your child’s developmental level and provide appropriate opportunities for learning not only new skills, but to continue practicing those that they have accomplished.
Peggy Emde is an Instructor at Northern Oklahoma College and a member of the Early Childhood Coalition.