As teachers, we know that number sense, counting, and numeracy skills are essential for children’s success in math. These skills lay the foundation for all future mathematics learning, and they can be developed starting at a young age.
Teaching your child about numbers and counting early, even before they start school will give them a head start. Simple activities like pointing out numbers in the environment (i.e., car number plates, ticket prices at the store, phone numbers) or singing and counting songs can help develop number sense and counting skills. Using real world examples will help your child connect numbers with real-world objects and experiences.
It is important to making maths learning fun! Learning about numbers should be fun and engaging to develop a positive mindset towards maths. Encouraging your child to ask questions about numbers and responding to them in a way that they can understand will help them build their confidence and understanding of math concepts.
Here are some specific activities that you can do with your child to help them develop number sense, counting, and numeracy skills:
- Play games that involve counting. There are many different counting games that you can play with your child. Some popular games include, Go Fish, and Snakes and Ladders. These games can help your child practice counting skills and learn about basic math concepts.
- Use manipulatives. Manipulatives are objects that can be used to help children learn about numbers. Some popular manipulatives include blocks, beads, and counting bears. These objects can help your child visualise numbers and learn about basic math operations.
- Sing songs about numbers. There are many songs that you can sing with your child that involve numbers. Some popular songs include, “The Ants Go Marching” and “Five Little Monkeys.” These songs can help your child learn about numbers in a fun and engaging way.
- Read books about numbers. There are many children’s books that are about numbers. Some popular books include “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle and “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” by Dr. Seuss. These books can help your child learn about numbers and their different uses.
If you would like some assistance in teaching your child number sense, why not organise a qualified tutor to help? We have a team of qualified teachers who are experts in teaching children a variety of concepts including developing number sense, counting and numeracy skills. You can get in touch with our friendly admin team here.
