Number work 0-5 years
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Children in Nursery or Kindergarten during their Early Years are introduced both incidentally and formally to counting and to the use of numbers. They learn number rhymes and songs which help reiterate the actual counting. ‘Baa baa black sheep’ is often sung by mothers even when the children are babies. Other songs such as 'One two, buckle my shoe' are the start of learning to count. Children can often recite numbers up to ten by habit without any other concepts behind this. The difficult part is teaching children to associate, for example, the number 3 with three items. This can take a long time but with constant play, demonstration and even trial and error, your child will successfully be able to bring you one book, and two pencils etc. Then comes the stage of combining this knowledge with the physical recognition that this is actually what a three looks like and how it is written. 3 The next part of learning is to be able to identify in which order the numbers do go. This comes with constant practice and by incidental learning with everyday things such as: |
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Games such as Snakes and Ladders use numbers, and many computer games for three year olds reinforce all the details of learning. Once your child has mastered a number line i.e. counting from 1 to 10, and recognising the number symbols, it is time to introduce concepts such as:
Gradually it is time to introduce the symbols + and =
This is a child's first sum 1 + 2 = 3
This is done with blocks first and then numbers are introduced. Addition is always taught across the page to start off with, as this is the way that the child reads, and they are also learning left to right eye and hand co-ordination. Number teaching then progresses as the child is ready. Alongside this, the child is also learning about shape, time, weight and measurement. Every child learns at a different time and at a different rate. Some find the concept of number very easy and others need more individual help. Everything the child does should be made fun and enjoyable. The worksheets illustrated on this page are just a few of the many available - look at the Worksheet Finder or Maths page for more.
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Your child has a long time to learn different aspects of the subject so success and praise are very necessary, especially at the beginning stages. It is wonderful to see the pleasure on a child’s face when they realise that they are correct and have understood - it's what every parent wants and thoroughly rewards them for all the time spent. |
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