Playing with Numbers: How I Taught Math Skills to My Toddler

A First Step to Teaching Math to Toddlers: Introducing Numbers

As my child’s first and most important teacher, it was up to me to kick start their educational journey. This began even before they started preschool, with something as fundamental as introducing numbers. This may seem like a daunting task, but as I discovered, there are plenty of fun ways you can make this introduction enjoyable and effective.

One of the first things I did was incorporate number-related content into our daily routine. We’d count their toys as we tidied up, count steps as we climbed the stairs, or count bites as they ate. This was a simple way to get my toddler familiar with numbers in a casual setting.

A trip to the grocery store also became a learning opportunity. We would count fruits as we added them to our basket. This exercise not only helped them recognize numbers but also introduced them to the concept of quantities.

Spending time in the kitchen was another chance to reinforce numbers. As we baked together, we would measure and count ingredients. This not only kept my toddler engaged but also made them understand the practical application of numbers.

However, don’t get stuck thinking that you can’t teach math to your toddlers until they understand numbers. In fact, early math skills development starts with simpler concepts like recognizing patterns, understanding size differences, and sorting objects.

Fun Learning Activities: Bringing Numbers to Life

While introducing numbers is vital, it’s equally important to make the learning process enjoyable. I incorporated various fun learning activities and educational games into our routine to do just that.

Here are a few examples:

• Blocks: I helped my toddler stack and count blocks, a great hands-on way to learn about numbers and size differences. We had a lot of fun with this activity, which you can read more about in this blog post.
• Number Hunt: We played a game where we hid number cards around the house. My toddler would then find and arrange these cards in the correct order. This improved their number recognition and sequencing skills.
• Finger Painting Numbers: This activity provided a tactile experience. My toddler loved getting their hands dirty and learning at the same time!
• Number Songs: Remember those catchy tunes from your childhood that you couldn’t get out of your head? Number songs are a great way to introduce your toddler to numbers. They’ll be happily singing along in no time while learning.
• Themed Activities: For an extra touch of fun, we adopted themes, like an acorn-fall theme, where the activities are all related to the theme, enhancing the learning experience.

Essential Tools to Aid Learning

While hands-on activities are crucial, there are several tools and aids that can further support your toddlers’ learning journey. Here’s a list of some of the essential aids I found beneficial in teaching math skills:

• Educational apps: There are several apps that make learning numbers interactive and fun.
• Flashcards: These are great for practicing number recognition and sequencing.
• Counting books: These are excellent for bedtime reading, integrating learning with a relaxing activity.

Remember, teaching math to toddlers doesn’t have to be complicated. With a touch of creativity and a whole lot of love, you can turn everyday tasks into fun learning experiences. Happy teaching!

A Focus on Understanding

More than just recognising numbers, it’s essential for children to understand what they represent. They need to grasp the concept that each number is a symbol representing a certain quantity. For toddlers, this abstract thinking can be challenging.

One successful method I used was to associate each number with a specific quantity of items: each time we said ‘one’, I showed my child one apple, one toy, or one finger. Similarly, ‘two’ was always associated with two items, and so on. The key is consistency and repetition. This method helps to forge a strong bond in their minds between the number and its corresponding quantity.

Another tool I found helpful was a number line. By visibly demonstrating the order of numbers and the concept that each number is one greater than the one before it, the number line can greatly aid in understanding.

Teaching Through Play

As adults, we often forget the power of play. For children, play isn’t just fun, it’s how they learn. This is the concept behind many of the prevailing early childhood education methodologies.

Play can easily incorporate number learning. ‘Imaginary’ play could include a supermarket game where items have prices and must be counted out. Sorting games can help understand concepts as more than and less than. Outdoor games could involve counting the number of trees, birds, and so on. Board games are another fun option!

Incidental Learning: A Stealthy Approach

A method that seamlessly blends with children’s daily routine is incidental learning. This approach takes advantage of naturally occurring situations to teach concepts. The more organic and connected to their everyday life the learning is, the more likely the child will understand and remember.

Throughout the day, countless opportunities for incidental learning present themselves. Counting the dishes as they’re put away, totalling the number of red cars spotted on a journey, or dividing the strawberries evenly between siblings, each of these situations involves math in a real-world context that children can understand.

Physical Activity

Toddlers tend to be active little beings. Take advantage of this by incorporating math into their play. From counting steps while climbing a slide, to hopping on numbered spots – the possibilities are endless! The more physically involved the child is, the more likely they are to engage and remember the lesson. Check here for more fun ideas.

Teaching Math Can Be Fun!

Children are naturally curious and eager to learn. Finding fun ways for them to engage with math can turn something that might initially seem intimidating into an appealing activity. The key is keeping it fun and engaging, ensuring they associate math with positive experiences.

As parents, we play an essential role in guiding our children’s learning. Childhood learning is a foundation that they will build upon for years to come, so make it sturdy and make it fun. Let them see that learning can happen anywhere and everywhere, and they’ll carry that lesson with them for life.