43.3 F
Naperville
Friday, March 29, 2024

Raise Your Play IQ – Math with shoes!

-

by Alix Tonsgard

Math concepts and skills naturally begin to develop very early in life. As a result of the interactions children have with adults, and their everyday experiences, infants are beginning to formulate ideas about math and are using math concepts to make sense of their world. Think about it – the infant who signals that they want more, the toddler that attempts to climb inside a box that is too small, the young child filling cups in the bathtub – these are all examples of the beginnings of important math concepts.

Being intentional about the language we use (words like more, empty, full, big) when talking to infants and toddlers not only supports the development of math concepts but also helps to build a positive attitude to learning math later in life.

Every day our rituals and routines are packed full of rich opportunities for teachable math moments. That being said, how many things can you do with a pile of shoes? Keep reading to find out.

Pattern Activities

For something to be considered a pattern it must repeat a minimum of two and a half times.

• For example, big, little, big, little, big! Or stripes, solids, stripes, solids, stripes.

Counting and Sorting Activities

Research shows that rote counting is one of the most important foundational math skills.

• Count how many single shoes?
• How many pairs?
• Can you sort them according to size? Now lets count them!
• Older children can count by two’s!
• Sort by color!

Measurement Activities

• How many of your feet does it take to get from point A to point B?
• How many do you think it will take for a larger foot?

Shapes

• What kind of shapes can you make?

Remember – using math words (first, next, last, in front of, behind, next to) is so important! For more ways to teach math during everyday life, check out our Math Moments videos on YouTube: youtube.com/user/DuPageMuseumChampion.

Alix Tonsgard is an early learning specialist at the DuPage Children’s Museum.

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
- Advertisement -
DuPage Children's Museum
DuPage Children's Museumhttp://dupagechildrens.org/
The DuPage Children’s Museum’s mission is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, thinking and problem solving in young children through self-directed, open-ended experiences; integration of the arts, science and math; the child-adult learning partnership.

LATEST NEWS

DON’T MISS OUT!
GET THE DAILY
SQUARE-SCOOP
The latest local headlines delivered
to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime.
close-link

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
close-link