Numbers Plus: Helping Your Young Child Learn About Mathematics

This parent booklet gives ideas on how to help children learn mathematics. Mathematics is all around us even when we don't know we're using it. There are many ways in which children can learn about math. Children tend to learn math best through hands-on activities. Below are five different areas of mathematics and some ideas for how to teach them to your child.

Numbers

• Count things 
• Sing counting songs and read counting books
• Find numbers(numerals) around your home and neighborhood
• Ask your child to help solve simple number problems
• Provide numerals in diverse materials and encourage your child to trace, copy and write numerals during pretend play and real events

 Geometry

• Label shapes and sizes 
• Find shapes in the environment 
• Encourage your child to climb in, out, under, over, and around things to develop a sense of space 
• Build structures with blocks, boxes, and other clean and empty containers
• Use words that describe the position (over, under, next to, between, above, behind), direction (forward, backward, up, down), and distance (near, close, far, way over there)

 Measurement

• Organize and compare household items
• Use conventional and unconventional units to measure things
• Include your child in activities that involve measuring
• Estimate everything!
• Talk about time 

 Algebra

• Look for patterns in songs, chants, and storybooks
• Create patterns using your hand and feet
• Hunt for patterns in your house and neighborhood
• Create patterns with household items
• Explore patterns in numbers

 Data Analysis

• Make collections
• Sort household items
• Make simple charts and graphs 

Silky Play Dough

Silky Play Dough

1 part Hair Conditioner (Suave works great and is cheap!)

2 parts Corn Starch

Add food coloring for diversity.

Since not all hair conditioners are the same consistency, you may need to alter the amounts just a bit so it is dough consistency.

Puff Paint

Puff Paint

Materials:
Flour
Salt
Water
Coloring; can use tempera paint (wet or dry), food coloring, or natural coloring agents such as beet juice, raspberry or blueberry juice reduction.

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix equal parts flour, water, and salt (recommended: 1/2 c. of each). Mix well with a spoon or whisk until you don't have clumps. Add more or less water depending on the consistency of paint you would like.
2. Once blended, add a smidgen of coloring (SMIDGEN!!!) The more coloring you add, the more vibrant your paints.

Rainbow Stew

Rainbow Stew:

Materials:
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup corn starch
4 cups water
Food coloring

Directions:
1. Mix all the ingredients together in a saucepan
2. Stir constantly and heat until the mixture begins to thicken
3. Remove from heat to cool
4. Divide the mixture into three bowls
5. Add a different color of food coloring into each bowl (1 - red, 1 - blue, 1 - yellow)
6. Put approximately 3 tbsp of each color into a Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and tape the top closes
7. Knead the baggie to mix colors just enough to look like a rainbow
8. Lay the bag down on a hard surface and gently press to flatten
9. You can hang it in your window when finished

Ooblick

Ooblick:

Materials:
1 cup corn starch
1/2 cup water

Directions:
1. Put corn starch in a bowl and add water. Mix together well
2. If needed add 1-2 TBL more of water to reach desired consistency

Noodle Center at Home

Noodle Center at Home:

Materials:
Dry noodles: spaghetti, bowtie, corkscrew, loops, etc.
String
Paper
Pasta dye (see recipe below)

Ingredients for Pasta Dye:
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1 tbsp food coloring
2 cups pasta
1 quart Ziploc freezer bag

Directions:
1. Pour alcohol and food coloring in bag. Mix together
2. Add pasta. Mix together
3. Let the mixture sit for 1 hour, then turn over and let it sit for 30 minutes
4. Pour out onto newspaper to dry
5. If the color is not dark enough, repeat process

Kool-Aid Play Dough

Kool-Aid Play Dough:

Materials:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid powdered drink mix
2 cups boiling water
3 tbsp oil

Directions:
1. Mix flour, salt, Kool-Aid and oil until blended
2. Add boiling water, mix with a spoon until cool enough to knead
3. Continue kneading until the color is blending
4. Store in airtight bag or container in the refrigerator