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Everyday Adventures in Math at Home

Guest blogger: Mary Muhs, M.Ed.

Just mentioning math can strike fear into the heart of even the most educated parent! While many of us are quite skilled with math, it has still become a common “fear” for many folks. Yet, still, those of us with older children have been quite perplexed as the methods for mastering math in school has changed over the years. Our methods are not the same as they used to be! We also seem to forget that young children are not learning algebra, geometry and calculus. Perhaps it was these subjects that instilled fear in us in the past?

Instead, young children are ready to learn one-to-one correspondence, sorting, sequencing, number, counting, and shapes. Much simpler, right? However, these skills can still seem challenging for parents to support in their child’s development. Are workbooks, worksheets, computer programs or apps the best to practice these skills? How can we know that our children are “ready for school” when it comes to math?

Math skills can be practiced each and every day at home or at school. First, include your child in everyday tasks, even those you would not think they can do well. Tasks such as laundry, cleaning, cooking, maintenance, shopping and caring for pets can be turned into math practice! Here are some suggestions for including your child in every day math practice.

  • Laundry: Sorting laundry by type, family member and size. Match and count the pairs of socks. Fold clothing in half and half again. Measure detergent with child sized cups.
  • Cleaning: Using child sized spray bottles, clean the table by counting squirts before wiping it down. Sweep the floor in a circle or square shape. Use sponges cut into different shapes to clean different items. Categorize dishes and wash by category, such as round plates, square plates, round bowls and mugs, etc. Create a pattern by washing first a plate, then a cup then a bowl and repeating until dishes are clean.
  • Cooking: Whenever possible, include children in the cooking and food preparation. Use plastic measuring cups to measure ingredients and a wooden spoon to stir. Use a butter knife to cut vegetables into small or large chunks. Estimate how long it will take to cook or bake and then discuss the reality versus guess.
  • Grocery Shopping: Create a list children can check off to practice one-to-one correspondence. Sort the cart by type of items, such as those in boxes or not, cold or room temperature, etc. Count items in the cart. Pack unbreakable groceries in paper bags trying to fit them in safely without crushing them. Weigh bulk foods, adding and subtracting amounts to get to one pound.
  • Routines: For the morning routine, use a picture chart to put the steps to getting ready in order for children to follow. For bedtime routine, use a timer or a picture clock to show the amount of time rather than the actual time. Read books including numbers, counting, sorting and classifying. Use a picture schedule showing a picture of each main activity during a stay at home day so children can follow the schedule and manipulate when things change.

Remembering that math skills for little ones is more than just algebra will make a big difference in how you perceive math as a parent. Have fun with mathematics and go beyond just helping children memorize numbers in order. Look to everyday tasks you may find tedious for opportunities to include learning moments. It is easier than you may think and way more fun!

 

 

Mary Muhs, M.Ed.

Mary Muhs, M.Ed., has advanced the field of early childhood education for more than three decades as an early childhood educator, trainer, author, advocate, coach, consultant and national conference presenter. Over the course of her distinguished career, she has taught children in nonprofit and profit-sector settings and played a leadership role in the training and education of early childhood professionals. In her current role as department chair for the Rasmussen College School of Education in Minnesota, Muhs is leading the implementation of the school’s online early childhood education associate and bachelor’s degree programs. A frequent presenter at local, state and national conferences, she is sought out for her expertise on topics ranging from developmentally appropriate practices to social-emotional development and family engagement. In her local community, she supports infant and toddler programs as a relationship-based professional development coach for the Center for Inclusive Child Care, which provides training, support and resources for child care programs throughout Minnesota. She also serves as a CDA professional development specialist and as a higher education peer reviewer for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Muhs received her Master of Education degree in early childhood administration from National-Louis University in 2006 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in early childhood education and teaching from Walden University. She is passionate about teaching and inspiring adults who work with children.

Read more posts by Mary Muhs, M.Ed.

4 Replies to “Everyday Adventures in Math at Home”

  1. Block Play can also be used with talking to children about patterns. Children can work together using the different shapes to make fences (square,rectangle,square, rectangle…
    I love how blocks are such a great activity for children to play together.

  2. I appreciate including math skills in our everyday routines. Sorting socks then putting one sock on one foot and repeating…two feet, two shoes. Through out the day math can be involved in stacking canned foods in the pantry and counting oranges in the fruit bowl. Of course, setting the table with one plate, fork, spoon, knife, napkin per person again relates to one-to-one correspondence but also how many sets are needed to meet the needs of the family. Even in clean up time, math comes into play. How many books will fit on the shelf? These daily activities are loaded with math possibilities. Use them wisely and fill them with communication and fun.

  3. This is a great idea to put in the news letter for parents to create math at home learning experiences. It is another way to incorporate what you are doing in the classroom and have parents practice with their child at home. Cute idea.

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