Want to turn your kids into math whizzes? There’s no better time to start than now. Preschool is when they are more open to taking in the basic math concepts, which sets precedence for how they handle more complex math concepts in the future.
Often, parents go to the internet to ask, “How can I help my child with maths?” and they see a long list of options, and sometimes, it can get a little confusing, especially as the first thing they would see is websites with paid ads on the top of the google search.
Here are a few tips you can use as a parent to give your child pre math skills:
Start with the basics
Something people often fail to do is start with the basics when they are teaching kids. For example, you cannot jump to multiplication when you have not done counting. Instead, start with counting, then understand the numbers, addition, and subtractions before you move on to more complex concepts.
Use real-life situations
Kids are more excited about math when they know they can use it in real life instead of just learning it in class. For example, math concepts like counting, time, measurement, and money can feature in our day-to-day life, and instead of just getting through these events, you can turn them into teaching moments.
Instead of buying your kid an ice cream cone, you can teach them about money. There are many more situations like these that you can use to expose the maths concept for kindergarten kids.
Use math games and toys
If you want to keep your kids engaged in basic maths for kids, you need to do things that would keep them interested, like math games and toys. Math games are fascinating, and some are designed according to the homeschool math curriculum. With math games, you can teach the kids without actually teaching them.
How? Educators designed the games according to math concepts, so the more time a kid spends on math games, the more they learn about the math concepts behind those games. You can also use number toys to get the kids interested in math. For example, make building blocks of numbers and have your kids destroy and rebuild the structures as often as possible using the number blocks.
Use Visual Aids
65% of the world’s population are visual learners, including children; your kid may be among this set of people. Even if your kid is not a visual learner, they will enjoy using interesting, colorful, and interactive visual aids. You need to incorporate visual aids into your teaching materials. They can range from simple pictures and DIY number toys to more effective forms like fun math videos and interactive animations.
Use a simplistic approach
Remember, you are teaching kids, and you do not have to explain math in a complex manner. Math in its natural state is challenging and complex, but you do not have to teach it like that. Instead, you can break down the math concepts into easy, simple ideas to teach the kids so that they get it better and enjoy the process.
Use interactive methods
An easy way to teach math to preschoolers is by getting them involved in the process. Unfortunately, too many teachers focus more on teaching “at” the kids instead of teaching them. Teaching kids involves carrying them along, and that requires patience which some teachers do not have because of the volume of work they have to do, the number of students they have to teach, and the limited time they have to cover the curriculum.
You have to ask them how they would deal with a problem and then show them how best to handle the problems if their methods are not the best. Always ensure that the kids are a significant part of the teaching process, so you can know when they are getting the lesson and when they are not.
Use repetitions and be patient
Above all, patience is the most important thing you need when introducing math to preschoolers. You cannot get frustrated when they seem like they are not getting a basic concept you are trying to teach them. You must understand that all of this is alien to them at best and work at slowly opening their minds to math. If they are not getting something, repeat it as often as possible until they understand it.
If they do not get it with one method, find another and repeat the lesson. There are rarely any shortcuts to math because every concept is intertwined. If you skip a concept today because your kid finds it difficult to grasp, you deprive them of getting through a more complex concept where the previous one was quickly needed.
Benefits of starting math education early
There are many benefits to starting math education early in kids, and here are some of them:
It enhances cognitive development
Children who learn math early develop essential cognitive skills like critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Unfortunately, these skills are sometimes missing in adults because they did not develop them early.
It prepares them for academic success
Giving kids a primary math education from when they are younger prepares them for success in the nearest future. Basic math concepts replicate themselves in complex equations as time goes on. The knowledge you instill in your child now will carry them through these equations with more ease than they expected.
It improves their communication skills
Having precise, concise, and clear conversations around math with your kids opens their minds to the art of communication, which is essential in their formative age. The kids learn to talk about math and other things in the process.
Conclusion
Parents do not need to wait for their kids to get to a certain age before they begin to instill math education. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to train them. You must start from when they are in preschool with a mind that works like a sponge, ready to take in information and store them. If you are worried about introducing math to your preschooler, use the tips listed above, and you will be able to teach them quickly.
