How to Help Young Children Understand Numbers
What is the best way to teach young children how to begin to understand numbers?
— Want to Teach
It takes time for children to understand the concept of numbers. They see a group of four blocks, but it takes a while before they can assign the number 4 to the group of blocks.
The best way for children to learn to develop number concepts is by having them handle everyday objects in your home. They should begin by sorting items, then ordering them in some way (smallest to largest, for example). Next, children should be exposed to rote counting to learn the names of the numbers. The final step is one-to-one matching (like putting a cup with a saucer).
Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
Sorting: Have your children sort laundry items into piles according to ownership. Socks are excellent for sorting into color and size.
Ordering: Break spaghetti into a few differently sized pieces. Then have your children arrange them by size from shortest to longest.
Counting: Begin by teaching the youngest children to count from one to five. When they are ready, extend the number to 10. Then play counting games at the dinner table.
Matching: Ask your children how many will be eating dinner. Then have them count out the plates and cups that will be needed.
Helping Children with Division
My daughter, who is entering fourth grade, is still very weak in her know-ledge of multiplication facts. Now, she is really struggling with division. Could you please send me some ideas for helping to teach her division?
— Help
Math concepts are always challenging. Your daughter needs to know that the basic facts of division are really the multiplication facts. Rather than learn the division facts separately, most children just turn the multiplication facts around. For every multiplication fact, there are two division facts. Take 4 x 6 = 24. The two division facts are 24 divided by 6 and 24 divided by 4. Get your child in the habit of handling a problem like 24 divided by 4 by saying “four times what is twenty-four.”
There is a game called “Cross-Out” that will improve your child’s multiplication and division skills. It is not essential to work with long division problems if she understands the concept of division because these problems are typically solved on an electronic device.
To play “Cross-Out,” begin by making 36 cards numbered 1 through 9. Each number should appear on four cards. You also need to make a game sheet with 16 or more squares. Fill in each square with a different answer to the basic division/multiplication facts you are teaching.
Next, shuffle the 36 cards and place them face down in a drawing pile. The top card is picked up and the number on it read aloud. If the called number divides evenly into a number on her game sheet, she selects a number to cross out on the game sheet. She can only cross out one number on a game sheet for each called card, even though there are other possibilities.
The game ends when she has crossed out all the numbers on the game card. This game can be played with several players, making it more fun.
Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com or to the Dear Teacher website.
©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2020