Teaching Early Numeracy Skills to Young Children
Does your young child show learning challenges related to early math concepts? Early warning signs can include problems recognizing numbers, counting, and understanding the number line.
Do you notice any other challenges related to early math skills? What about the following…
- If you put 5-10 small objects on the floor (e.g., coins, jelly beans, blocks), can they count them accurately one by one, or do they lose track and move their finger at a pace different than they count aloud? Do they skip numbers?
- Do they understand that a number equals a specific quantity?
- Is your early elementary school child struggling to retain math facts despite lots of repetition?
- Is your child still counting on their fingers long after their peers stopped?
Your child may need to strengthen foundational skills in math. Here are some strategies and activities to consider depending on the age of your child:
- Counting Games: Engage in counting everyday objects such as toys, blocks, or small snack foods. Start with 1-10 and gradually increase. Use songs or rhymes that involve counting (e.g., “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe”).
- Number Recognition: Introduce and reinforce numbers through games and activities. Use number flashcards, puzzles, or trace numbers in sand or shaving cream, and draw with chalk. Make sandpaper numbers and trace them with a finger.
- Numbers Represent Quantity: Help your child understand that each number corresponds to a specific quantity. Put the number next to the quantity so they can visualize them. For example, number 4 = 4 dots, number 3 = 3 dots, etc.
- One-to-One Correspondence: When counting objects, encourage them to touch each item as they count aloud. First arrange objects in an orderly fashion (e.g., 4 = 2 rows of 2). Once mastered, scatter the objects randomly to increase difficulty. Also increase the quantity.
- Number Sequencing: Teach children the sequence of numbers (1, 2, 3…) by singing songs or arranging number cards in order. You can also play games where they arrange numbers in the correct sequence. Make a large number line and help them appreciate how the numbers are related (e.g., 2 is smaller than 7), and how you can hop 2 places from 1 to 3, or 4 spaces from 4 to 8, etc.
- Math in Daily Activities: Incorporate math into daily routines such as cooking (measuring ingredients), setting the table (counting plates and forks), or sorting laundry (by colors or types). Introduce fractions and percentage when appropriate.
- Pattern Recognition: Help them recognize and create simple patterns using objects like blocks or colored beads. Talk about different ways patterns present, such as with numbers (e.g., odd, even, by 5s or 10s), size, colors (e.g., red-blue-red-blue), shapes, and so on.
- Shape Recognition: Introduce basic shapes (circle, square, triangle) and encourage them to identify them in their environment or with a scavenger hunt. Once they master basic shapes, try more complex shapes (e.g., cube, pyramid, cylinder, sphere).
- Comparisons and Measurement: Teach concepts of more and less, big and small, same and different, empty and full, tall and short using everyday objects. Use measuring cups or a ruler and tape measure to explore size and length. Use a scale to measure weight.
- Math-themed Books and Games: Visit the library to explore age-appropriate books. Search online for apps and educational games that reinforce numeracy skills in a way that would engage your child (e.g., dinosaur theme if they love dinosaurs).
- Encourage Problem Solving: Pose simple math problems that involve addition or subtraction at their developmental level, and encourage them to find solutions using small objects (e.g., beans for counting) or drawings (e.g., slash marks, pizza or cake for fractions). For example, you have 3 cookies on your plate, but if I eat one, how many would you have left?
- Use Visual Aids: Utilize visuals like number lines or manipulative tools (like counting beans or blocks) to make abstract concepts more concrete. Look around the house for everyday objects that could be useful. Search online if you are unsure how to use manipulatives in math. These can be helpful during homework time.
- Real-World Application: For older children, show how math is used in everyday life, such as counting money at the store, counting hours on a clock or days on a calendar, or measuring ingredients for a recipe.
Also talk with your child’s math teacher about opportunities at school, such as a Math Learning Lab before or after school. It will be critical to reinforce math skills and concepts using the same methods as the teacher to avoid confusing your child. Ask the teacher about specific skills that need to be strengthened and how to reinforce these.
Did you know that children lose and forget math skills over the summer? It’s called the “summer slide”. While a typical child can catch up quickly with review material once the new school year starts, a child with learning challenges may fall behind. If you know your child is showing delays in learning, be sure to explore options for summer math practice. Try to make this review and practice fun and game-like. This will help protect your child so they can be ready for the new school year.
If you and your teacher share concerns about math progress and you believe your child may need formalized supports, we are happy to provide a free consult by phone. It’s possible that your child would benefit from an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses to inform next steps.
Reach out and let us know your questions: [email protected]
