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Helping Children Learn at Home: Math and Science Tips for Young Children
Did you know that the games you play with your toddlers and preschoolers
can influence their interest in learning math and science as they grow
older? Young children are capable of learning such concepts as big and
small, high and low, fast and slow, and heavy and light. By helping your
children learn these concepts, you are helping them begin to learn about
math and science.
According to educational experts from the National Science Foundation
("Helping Children Learn at Home," 1997), "young children
are natural mathematicians and scientists" because of their curiosity
and their desire to explore and experiment.
When parents encourage their children to ask questions and help children
explore and discover the natural world, they are helping build an interest
in math and science. Many experts say that children who have such experiences
when they are very young develop an enjoyment for and a confidence in
math and science that pays off as they get older.
Here are some ideas for what you can do to develop your preschooler's
interest in math and science.
- Go for a walk with your child. Take time to stop
along the way and watch things that children notice, such as flowers,
animals, and bugs. Talk with your child about what you see, and ask
about what he sees.
- Draw pictures together. Draw a picture of what
you have seen, whether it was on your walk together, on your front steps,
in the backyard, or from your window. Ask your child to draw a plant,
an animal, or a favorite place, and then ask her to tell you about the
drawing.
- Turn a drawing into a story. Write down what
your child says about the picture he just drew. Ask him to make up a
story about the picture, and save it with other artwork and stories
he has developed.
- Listen to your child and ask questions about what she is seeing
and doing. Children need to have time every day to tell
another person about what they have seen or what they think. When you
ask your child to tell you about a walk or a trip to the zoo, you are
encouraging her to think and choose words.
- Choose toys that help your child learn. Young
children learn about the world primarily by playing. As a result, they
need toys that encourage them to imagine and explore, which are not
necessarily those that are advertised on television. Toys do not have
to be expensive, but they should be simple, safe, and long-lasting.
Some ideas for toys include:
- Balls. They can be bounced, rolled, thrown in the
air, the grass, or the sidewalk. Which bounces the highest? Lowest?
Which ones sink in water? Which ones float?
- Blocks. Building blocks can be a great math and
science toy because they help children learn about engineering and
geometry. You can either buy a set of wooden, plastic, or cardboard
blocks, or you can make your own out of egg cartons, cereal boxes,
or wood scraps. For young children, make sure the blocks are big
enough to handle easily and keep out of mouths. Have enough blocks
in different shapes and sizes to build unusual structures. Have
children paint the blocks in bright colors.
- Puzzles. Puzzles help children learn to solve problems
as well as learning about shapes, sizes, and colors. For toddlers,
make sure the puzzle has some large pieces. You can make your own
puzzle by pasting a magazine picture onto a piece of cardboard,
then cutting it into large pieces. Or make a puzzle from one of
your child's drawings. As children get older, they can do more difficult
puzzles.
- Plant a garden with your child. Planting
a garden, any size, is a great family activity. A garden can be
a patch of dirt in the yard or a container on a window sill, and
it has a season of math and science lessons in it. Measure the space
or container, determine where the plants will get sunlight, find
out how much seeds will cost, count the seeds, measure the rows,
watch the plants grow and chart their growth, pick vegetables, look
for insects, and learn what plants need to be healthy.
- Read to your child. Read books aloud every
day. Look at picture books and talk about what you see. Alphabet
and counting books are always popular, and you'll experience a sense
of pride as you watch your children learn. Plan a regular time to
go to the school library, pubic library or bookmobile. Enlist brothers,
sisters, aunts, uncles, and grandparents to help read stories. Have
your child read to you if he wants to or tell you a story based
on the pictures in the book. Remember that it does not matter if
you read in English, Spanish, or Chinese as long as you help your
child develop a reading habit.
- Monitor TV watching. Turn off the TV and
limit viewing. Too much TV viewing takes time away from other activities.
Many experts have shown that children who do things other than watch
TV usually do better in math and science in school. When you do
let your child watch TV, look for high-quality educational programs,
and watch and discuss programs with your child to help build a habit
of critical reflection.
Source:
Helping children learn at home. (1997, March 27). Pointers for Parents
(National Science and Technology Week Publication SP/96-8). Arlington,
VA: National Science Foundation.
Prepared for Parent News by Dawn Ramsburg for the National Parent Information
Network (NPIN)
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