| In every corner of the universe, under every stone on | | | | excellence. Are there new ideas always introduced? |
| Earth, there you will find math. Besides knowing the | | | | Do the kids get to do something or sit there like a |
| alphabet itself, math is the most needed skill you will | | | | bump on the log? Do you get to review anything? The |
| ever have the opportunity to learn. Preschoolers are | | | | answer should always be "yes". There are different |
| great to start with, so that your children may have the | | | | types of curriculum to choose from, depending on |
| upper hand in the future. You will want to teach them | | | | what works best for you and your children. These |
| numbers, counting and the basics on how to apply | | | | ideas would work well in homeschooling or in a |
| those concepts to their lives in general. | | | | classroom. |
| With the wee ones needing to be able to express | | | | Problem solving can be performed through the use of |
| themselves in all kinds of ways (read that: they don't sit | | | | easy equations on paper or flashcards; sticks could |
| still, so now what?), you need to be a bit creative | | | | work well too. Unit studies (unschooling) will put |
| when it comes to teaching them their numbers and | | | | equations into their own separate categories to learn |
| how those things work with what they see around | | | | one block at a time. Memorization is simply repeating |
| them. Any mistakes that occur while they learn will be | | | | problems constantly until it's stuck in your head. |
| a good thing; because then you'll know where exactly | | | | Homeschooling curriculum has options, as well. Math U |
| it is that they need help. Their logic is not your logic, so | | | | See has videos online to teach and assess without |
| just because they have a different answer than you | | | | much repetition. Shiller Math offers the children hands |
| doesn't mean they couldn't figure it out. Always ask | | | | on experience. Right Start Mathematics has games to |
| them how they got to their answer. Put together some | | | | teach. Math Mammoth has a huge variety to reach |
| sheets to color or dot-to-dot for number recognition, | | | | every type of learner. |
| perhaps. You can have them build something out of | | | | Fun stuff? What's fun about math? Games you can |
| Legos (or similar) for size/shape comparison and | | | | do with your preschoolers include jumping rope (count |
| counting. Be prepared go on field trips, cut and paste, | | | | as you go), "Simon Says" with actions like skip three |
| or even cook to get your concepts across - just don't | | | | times, etc., puzzles like Sudoku or fill-ins, or hopscotch. |
| be repetitive. Don't forget to tell the kids what the | | | | Play card games like 21 or cook to teach them |
| lesson will be and what they should understand from it. | | | | fractions. Using graph paper, have them draw a scale |
| Always include something visual, a listening activity, | | | | model of a room. Did you know the zoo can teach |
| something touchy-feely and throw in something Spock | | | | math? Take the kids there and let them count the |
| would love while you're at it. | | | | animals. Do macaroni pictures and count the pasta. |
| When you are trying to figure out if you want to use | | | | See - math really is everywhere you look! There are |
| and actual curriculum or do it by the seat of your | | | | so many other things you can do with the kids to |
| pants, have a few things in mind so that you can | | | | teach math! Just have a blast! |
| make the best choice for your child's development in | | | | |