The Portrait Indicator
Roxbury's Academic Newsletter
Supporting Math & Science At Home
By: Jeff Fiscina, Mina Kelaid, and Erika Kelly
There is a natural interest in exploring the world around us, specifically in young children. These explorations include everyday math and science concepts. The basis of these early explorations and engagement in hands-on activities deepen the thinking processes going forward. “Young children possess a sophisticated informal knowledge of math, and they frequently ask scientific questions, such as why questions. Preschoolers' free play involves substantial amounts of foundational math as they explore patterns, shapes, and spatial relations; compare magnitudes; and count objects.” (Clements and Sarama, 2016).
You might have heard of an old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The reason this saying has stuck around for so long is because it is true. It is not only true in various parts of a child’s life, but also true in the development of children’s math and science skills. As children grow and continue through school, helping your child in mathematics and science can become increasingly challenging. This is not meant to disrespect any parent out there. But from our experience in the secondary level, we have heard this testament from parents time and time again. Even if parents have a strong background in math or science, communicating with their child might not be easily accomplished either. This article is meant to help provide ways that you can help support your child with his/her skills, interest, and curiosity in math and science at home.
With primary aged children in mind, they benefit most from mathematical experiences that build largely upon play and the formulation of a natural relationship between learning and daily life activities, interests, and questions. When children engage in play with others, they often become intensely engrossed in the activity at hand, while also promoting and tackling problems/dilemmas within their imaginative story lines. However, in doing so this teaches children problem solving strategies as they often conceptualize different approaches to the problem, discuss various strategies, and learn from one anothers perspectives. Additionally, in relation to Clement’s and Sarama’s (2016) statement, children also explore shapes and patterns, compare sizes, and count objects when engaged in play activities. However, within these structures and opportunities, six categories of mathematical content emerge: classifying, exploring magnitude, enumerating, investigating dynamics, studying pattern and shapes, and exploring spatial relations. Children explore these various mathematical concepts through a variety of play activities; such as, building blocks, music, water play, play dough, manipulatives, computers, and dramatic play. As we aim to promote children's exploration of mathematical concepts within structured play, we must be mindful of ways to provide environments that promote growth. Several methodologies that parents/guardians can partake in are to observe childrens’ play, intervene sensitively, discuss and clarify ideas, and schedule long blocks of time for play. Overall, play does not necessarily guarantee mathematical development for all, but rather offers rich possibilities for all. It is from structured and unstructured play that primary aged children learn the process of “mathematization” as they engage in mathematical thinking and reasoning.
As we recently moved away from the holiday season, it is a safe bet to say that most of our students received some version of a video game (whether it be through a console, or another device). A Pew report published in 2008 reported that 97 percent of teenagers play video games of some type (Lenhart et al., 2008). Well designed video games can teach children amazing things including problem solving skills, perseverance, financial literacy, and other components that align to the Standards for Mathematical Practice (Pages 3-5). Video games that have math components include Minecraft, which inspired MinecraftEdu, World of Warcraft which allows students to engage in statistical reasoning, even though it was not designed that way. Even if your child does not play video games, having game nights at home with some classic board games can help improve skills. Monopoly helps students learn financial literacy skills with fake money, instead of learning it with real money. Clue allows for students to engage with deductive reasoning. Many other games teach “soft” skills such as patience, pattern recognition, and number sense. While having family game nights can be fun, it can also help your child educationally (Breyfogle & Quander, 2014).
Perhaps family math and science nights would be a great way to engage students and parents in active investigations tied to the curriculum in a fun, informal environment. At the end of this article, you will findresources in which families can actively explore math and science ideas, discover together through guided inquiry, and apply their discoveries to solve a problem at the end (Sullivan & Hatton, 2011). Activities are hands-on, use readily available and affordable materials, and focus on a theme that links science and math to the real world. With the secondary children in mind, there are a plethora of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) resources that include at home activities. These scientific activities can be geared towards all different learning levels and specific skills (procedural, engineering processes, design, and more. Science Buddies is a hands-on resource geared towards secondary STEM activities that presents in step-by-step procedure with embedded explanations and videos. Most of these activities can be done with a few items around the home or the pantry. The benefits of these hands-on approaches are insurmountable not only in increasing that natural curiosity our children possess but also substantially increasing engagement in a fun manner. In fact, by following these tips and being flexible, you can provide a wonderful scientific inquiry experience for your child(ren). Our students will have more confidence in their ability to connect with math and science, which will then empower them to take more educational risks inside the classroom.
Opportunities to explore mathematics and science concepts are imperative and support language and literacy development. Furthermore, these experiences support vocabulary development by exposing students to a variety of new words in meaningful contexts. Emphasis on conversations about objects around us, whether present or not, support the development of abstract reasoning and are related to literacy skills (Frede et al., 2009). Moreover, as children transcribe their observations, predictions, and explanations in entries or on charts, it allows them to illustrate the links between spoken and written language. Therefore, many recommendations to improve early math and science revolve around the ability to apply concepts in the home environment. Parents will be able to support their children in math and science, while continuously immersing them in practical skills to leverage and increase children’s natural interest in these areas.
Resources for Parents/Guardians
Desmos Global Math Art Contest
Science Buddies STEM Activities
Science and Engineering Experiments
Number Sense Activities for Kids
Number Sense Games & Activities
Math Fact Fluency Game for Home
Work Cited
Brenneman, K., Stevenson-Boyd, J., & Frede, E. C. (2009). Math and science in preschool: Policies and practice. Preschool Policy Brief, 19, 1-12.
Breyfogle, M., & Quander, J. (2014). Building a math village: Developing partnerships among school, home, and community. Teaching Children Mathematics. Volume 21, No. 3, 132-135.
Clements, D. H., & Sarama, J. (2016). Math, science, and technology in the early grades. The Future of Children, 75-94.
Holden, J., Williams, C. (2014). How Can Teachers Use Video Games to Teach Their Students Mathematics? NCTM.
Lenhart, A., Kahne, J., Middaugh, E., Macgill, A. R., Evans, C., & Vitak, J. (2008). Teens, video games, and civics. Washington, D.C.: Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Math Play: How Young Children Approach Math. (December 29, 2021). Scholastic. https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/math-play-how-young-children-approach-math/.
Sullivan, J., Hatton, M. (2011). Math and Science Night: A twist on the traditional event to engage families in exploring and learning through inquiry. National Academies Press. Washington, D.C.