Math for Babies

According to the latest research done by Elizabeth M. Brannon, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, babies and adults both possess an "approximate number system." Babies can tell the difference between different arrangements of dots—but only if they differ by enough. This ability to decipher the difference between visual displays of numbers becomes more sophisticated over time, but the crux of these findings is that there is a fundamental understanding of this from birth.

What is the best way to encourage, stimulate and nurture this ability. Babies are way too young to force feed them information. Some use of flashcards can significantly increase their ability of estimating quantity, recognize numbers and other concepts too. But, it is not fair to overdo it with the flashcards. The best way is to create a stimulating environment, fit for exploring and creating.

• Provide them various toys which can be classified in shapes, colors, sizes etc. Play with the toys and classify based on one type on one partcular day. Let the baby observe while you do that. Although they may not follow what you do, they are still learning. They will do it some other way, because they have seen you do it one way, they want to find their own style.
• Create music and tunes along with your baby. Copy the noices they make and get them used to copying you. Create different beats. Repetition is key. Give them enough time to grasp the concept.
• Another favorite of mine is, building blocks. Playing with building block helps learn various skills like: size, weight, shapes, colors and motor skills too.

Babies are like sponges ready to absorb everything in their surroundings. But their surroundings are in our control. So, pick and choose the right toys and environment for your baby to grow up in. I have other good tricksimilar ideas in my blog Math concepts for toddlers. Take a look.

Enjoying Math

It is needless to mention the importance of math in our lives. We use it all the time in our daily life dealing and even for the smallest planning and decisions. But, beyond this learing math also develops logical thinking in kids. They realise that some things are not random but predicatable. Science and math experiments helps young kids understand that there are laws in the universe, everything works according to these principles.

A good number of people have hated Math while growin up. Math has been misunderstood thanks to uninspired teachers. The teachers themselves should love math and teach it well. Make the kids understand the miracle of Math.

The most important math skills needed for the future are: esimation, measuring and logic/problem solving. When our children grow up they will do all their work and calculations on the computers. They will need a stronger foundation of the working logics. Understand daily life problems. But even for problem solving you need basic calculations and estimation. You can never do away with the importance of this. Math has to therefore be taught as a blend of all these in a fun way.

Addition and Subtraction:
To teach kids addition and especially subtraction, use M&Ms or Gems chocolate. They are very versatile. You also get to eat them while you subtract. Make groups for division and multiplication. Beans can also be used if you are watching the sugar intake, but it is always better to use some prop or story where the kids have a special connect.

Place Value:
Then there is place value. Here you can surely use beans. Use the indivisual beans for the 'ones' and create a strip of 10 beans on cardboard paper for 'tens'. If you are having fun go for the 'hundreds'. Let the kids help you do this. If they are actively involved, it helps in grasping the concepts better.

Subtraction with borrowing:
Subtraction with borrowing can be explained better with a story about borrowing. How baby rabbit asked mommy for 5 bucks for icecream, but mommy only had 2, so she borrowed form daddy but had only had one note of 10. So she took that and in all she had 12 now. She could buy her baby the icecrean and then she was left with 7. Or some example your child would olove to hear about, maybe a friend in school who is always borrowing.

Money:
Money problems can be taught with real money. Start a make belief store at home and teach the use of money. Or have the kid do small chores at home which you pay him for and help him keep an account.

There are many more topics and many other ways to go about them. If you have any ideas share with us.

Math Concepts for Toddlers II

As I said in my earlier post, children learn Math naturally. But it still helps to asist them in this learning. Some of the early math concepts are:
1. Count, quantity, recognize numbers
2. Size, weight, speed etc.
3. Shapes and patterns

Now let us see some of the easiest ways to teach these concepts:
1. Count, quantity, recognize numbers: To count anything kids have to first learn the number sequence. Kids love songs and music. So sing the numbers to them. Sing nursery rhymes like: One two buckle my shoe. There are many more at http://www.nurseryrhymes.org/numbers.html. Sing along and soon they will master the counting. The next step is to count objects along with them. Count the steps, plates, pebbles, crayons, fishes from the fish tank or anything and everything for that matter. For number recognition make flash cards. Start with 3 everyday, once the child is confortable with those, then take the next three and then slowly move on to 10. Go at the pace of the child.

2. Size, weight, speed etc.: To teach kids size or quantity, you can use a game in the bathtub. Take cups of different sizes. Pour water from one cup to another. Point out how one holds more water than the other etc. Measure heights of sibbling and show how one is taller than the other. Make footprints on the paper and show the difference in size. Carry a heavy bag and light bag and act out which one is heavy or light. Have running races or toy car races. These concepts are everywhere you can point them out while doing lot of fun activities.

3. Shapes and patterns: Shapes too can be taught best with flashcards. Make flashcards with different shapes in one single color. Include complexshapes like pentagon, hexagon etc. You can even teach three dimesional shapes this way. Refer to my post about using flashcards. Take art material, like beads and mirrors etc and make different patterns using those. Ask your child for his or her choice.

This is fun and learning all in one. Show off all the projects and art during family time. Always remember to continue it only until the child is enjoying it.