Children's education in the first years of life is the basis for generating mental structures that help them develop formal learning skills to be prepared for the years to come. And teaching mathematics at daycares and at home is an important foundation for their academic future.
Although there are no Common Core Standards for preschoolers, they should still be prepared for mathematical reasoning before they enter school, and daycare providers can play a huge role in developing these skills. How?
Here we want to share some keys to help preschoolers develop math skills. Let's first start with the necessary skills they need to develop!
Math Skills that Preschoolers Must Develop
Operations and Numerals from 0 to 10
Understanding the real value of the numbers from 0 to 10 is one of the first mathematical concepts with which one comes into contact. Through games, such as pretend shopping or counting toys, it is possible to promote the understanding of these numerical values.
Geometric skills
The development of geometric skills in children of preschool age includes:
· Be able to name and identify basic two-dimensional geometric shapes, such as squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles, and recognize these shapes in nature.
· Distinguish basic three-dimensional figures, such as spheres and cylinders.
· Know that a sphere and a circle have similar characteristics but are not the same.
Measurement Concept
Preschoolers should begin to learn the concept of measurement, either with their height (taller than my friend), their speed (running is faster than walking), or quantities (more or less).
Development of Algebraic Thinking
Solving simple subtraction and addition math problems is the beginning of algebraic thinking. With simple exercises like "How many pencils are there in this box?, or children's songs like "One gray elephant was balancing," a child's first approach to addition and subtraction will be easy and entertaining.
Classification, Measurement, and Data
It consists of the ability to distinguish objects based on size, color, and shape and identify characteristics to classify objects. For this section, you can use spoons, blocks and shapes or place balls of different colors and ask the child to classify them according to their characteristics.
Cardinality and Countability
Before entering school, even within the first few months of kindergarten, children should be able to count to 10 or 20 and grasp the number sequence. This can be reinforced by counting toys when putting them away after playing or counting the steps to get from their chair to the classroom door.
How to Help Preschoolers Develop Math Skills
A Good Preschool Curriculum
Daycares must ensure an effective preschool curriculum promoting mathematics learning to develop math skills in preschoolers. As daycare providers, teachers should analyze the skills that children have already acquired to design an effective teaching program for them. It also helps teachers adapt to the children's needs instead of going by the book.
Curriculums like toddler curriculums and preschool curriculums are the best for daycares. You can also select from a wide range of resources to add to your daily classroom activities. You can also benefit from the posters, learning binders, reward charts, planners, and more to embed a playful classroom learning environment in your daycare.
Once you incorporate a rich curriculum, the next step is to ensure its reinforcement and learning throughout the day.
Teach Maths Through Play
Play is the primary means of learning in young children and the best way to teach math skills. Although a good curriculum plays an important role, they don't need formal lessons or anything that involves real work.
The concept of playful learning is not new. We already know that fun and learning go hand in hand, especially with young children. The best method to help preschoolers develop math skills is by incorporating fun classroom activities, such as playing with shapes, making numbers with dough, singing rhymes, building blocks, doing puzzles, counting objects, etc.
This helps children develop basic math skills and is essential for adequate learning.
Numicon -an Effective Way
Numicon is a didactic method that involves visual, oral, and kinesthetic learning. Experts developed this method for developing mathematical abilities in children. Children can learn:
· Visually, by noticing elements and recognizing their shape and color
· Orally, by listening to the teacher's instructions and demonstration
· Kinesthetically, by moving and touching different objects
This encourages the activation of the two cerebral hemispheres, enhancing learning in children and contributing to their cognitive development.
Learn Math Through Drawing
Art is a creative way to learn mathematics besides developing fine motor skills in children. Preschoolers can visualize mathematics by drawing and coloring shapes and numbers. This helps them remember numbers more efficiently by connecting them through drawing. In addition, drawing also helps them develop spatial connections and logical thinking since it is also the basis of geometry.
By implementing these strategies, you can help preschoolers develop math skills. To ensure a well-designed curriculum is in place and that your staff is well-trained to carry out the necessary activities to develop mathematical reasoning in children, become a member of the Standout Daycare.
From one-on-one and group coaching to a wide range of resources and tools, Standout Daycare offers you everything to make your daycare stand out from the rest.
Contact Standout Daycare now for more information and to become a member!
Comments