Here are some ideas that can help your child develop their mathematical skills both in the home and out and about with the family.
Everything children encounter contributes toward their mathematical development. The home learning environment is a significant factor in predicting young children’s later outcomes. Even daily chores can be be learning experiences which can be made ‘play-full’ by encouraging a sense of fun and enjoyment while the child learns and develops
No matter how confident you are, you can support your children’s maths skills at home. Help them think of fun activities, they don’t have to be complicated or written down. It is the simple practical things where children are active that works best. Physical activity develops children’s working memory which links directly to improvements in areas such as numeracy and spatial reasoning (how we understand the way things move and are located in relation to ourselves and others).
Outdoor Maths
Learning doesn’t just happen indoors, there are loads of maths opportunities outside, even on a walk in the woods. Wherever possible take advantage of the abundance of natural mathematical experiences that children can discover outdoors. There are lots of free resources there to collect too: pine cones, leaves, sticks, stones shells etc.
The list is endless.
Whatever you do make it fun, learning through play allows children to take risks, make mistakes, try new things, think creatively and make connections. Adults meaningfully engaging in their play demonstrates your respect and value for it, while providing opportunities to extend, model, practice, consolidate, introduce new ideas, concepts and vocabulary.