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September 2023
October 2023
Learning Math in the Natural Environment
According to research by Rosalinda Rosali and Teo Wei Lin in 2018, "mastery of mathematical concepts does not come from workbooks, assignments, or paper and pen. Children construct their mathematics knowledge and develop mathematical skills through hands-on experience with real-life activities. Children will use their mathematical thinking in solving actual problems and building the mathematical abilities. Children master their cognitive skills through real interactions using the various materials found in their surroundings."
It is because of this that you will rarely see worksheets or flashcards in our preschool setting.
In these early developmental years, children possess an ingrained curiosity that incites their desire to learn. We believe that tapping into this curiosity through child-led play offers the benefit of building a solid foundation for future learning, and cultivating a positive mindset towards math.
Our preschool programs and the environment that we provide is specifically crafted to provide exposure, and access to environments that will spark curiosity and wonder in the minds of our children. Just as it is important to do this in the school setting, it is critical that parents build on the natural environment and their own home setting when introducing math concepts. We may not realize it, but children can learn about quantity and more or less while they pour water from small containers into larger containers. They count quantities of blocks as they compare and contrast who built the taller tower. An ABA or AABB pattern may be imbedded into their free choice art project.
As you work with your child, we ask you to remember that math is all around us. Children are naturally curious and drawn to figuring out the world around them. They are built to be mathematicians. When adults step in with worksheets, lessons, and flashcards, we take away the time for play and the time for being curious and natural mathematicians. If you want to be a detective and watch your child in their everyday play, provide opportunities for it to happen naturally!
Language + Math = Concepts
“What does language have to do with math?” The answer is basic concepts. Basic concepts are words that a child needs to understand in order to perform everyday tasks. A child needs to know basic concepts in order to be successful in reading, writing and MATH! Here is a summary of basic concept milestones that children develop:
3-4 Years: Follows quantity directions such as empty, alot. Follows equality directions including same and both. Understands next to, beside, between. Identifies colors. Matches objects. Points to an object that is different from others. Uses concepts of first and last.
4-5 Years: Understands adjectives such as big, bigger, biggest. Understands time concepts, yesterday, today, tomorrow, first, then, next, days of the week. Understands different, nearest, whole and middle.
Concepts often developed before your child begins school include: in, on, another, up, down, under, big, little, off, out of, together, away from. When we look at these words, we can begin to see how they are used in a variety of ways throughout your child’s day. If your child does not comply with a task it may appear that they are not listening. This may be the case, however they may also not doing what is being asked due to not understanding the concepts used in the directions.
There are many ways that you can help your child learn these concepts. As you perform daily activities, model putting items in and on, sort items into big and little, place items under, beside and between. Use the concept words as you model the action and then have your child complete it. Look for fun ways to use these words, and help your child learn to follow through with directions!
Items that can be used to "teach" MATH!
*Scales *Magna Tiles *Stamps *Dice *Deck of Cards *Pipe Cleaners and Beads *Puzzles
*Calculator *Blank Calendar *Games *3D Numbers *Loose Parts *Tangrams *Counters
Parent Information Night: Speech, Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Please join us as we invite the parents of all Preschool programs throughout LPCSC to attend a Parent Education Night where we will explore the developmental milestones for children ages 3-5 in the areas of cognitive, social/emotional, fine and gross motor and language. The discussion will include the skills that are developing at these ages and activities that parents can do to support growth in the home setting. Childcare will be offered!!
Please use this link to RSVP. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBZHTXNcxeA-9n6YuP8xl_e898uW5xi59YL-GFulbUMathZw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023, 06:00 PM
Boston Site Auditorium: 1000 Harrison Street, La Porte, IN, USA
References:
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/5-ways-build-math-your-childs-day
Rosli, R., & Lin, T. W. (2018). Children Early Mathematics Development Based on a Free Play Activity. Creative Education, 9, 1174-1185. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2018.97087
https://www.youngscholarsacademycolorado.com/teaching-children-mathematics-at-home/
Be sure to check out our Early Childhood Website on the LPCSC page!
219-324-3287