Math Talk

We are surrounded by mathematical concepts and processes all the time. We are doing math more frequently than we think. While playing with the child we tell the child to walk slow and not fast, eat only one sweet, drink full glass of milk, eat half an apple. These acts are about quantifying, estimating and judging. Talking about these things makes children aware of quantities and numbers as a rough idea.

Numbers

Developing numeracy does not mean the child should know counting and tables, it goes well beyond that. First let the child know numbers, the sequence is not as important. Once the child knows this is one apple and that is two potatoes and that is three pencils it is good enough. Whenever you are talking to your child make sure to use numbers. Ask him get one tomato, pass on two spoons. Help the child identify numbers. Ask your child to read numbers in lift, on the floor, on the car number plate, on the telephone and everywhere around. To introduce zero, begin your sentence with I have no apples. Don’t say I do not have an apple. Then follow it up by sending the child to fetch one apple from the fridge.

Line

Begin with a dot, then two dots. Then draw a line joining the dots. Don’t limit yourself to straight line. Also use curved line, stooping line, standing line, zig zag line and wave line. You can use thread and clay to show the same. Let the child draw with crayon or pencil. While conversing with the child, ask him to show you a straight line in the kitchen or in the living room - mirror, door, window, and shelf should be good examples .

Shapes

The spaces around us are shaped. Talk shapes in daily life, for example, an oval lunch box, a rectangle geometry box and a square bread piece. For the first three years talk only three shapes, circle, square and triangle apart from talking a dot and a line. Use blocks, books and shape toys to familiarize the child. Later you can make the child find square, round and triangular objects in a room. Fourth year onwards introduce oval and rectangle. Sixth year onwards you can talk complex shapes where the object is not a prototype of clear cut one shape. Use leaves of different kinds.

Quantity

Talk quantities wherever possible. Use a water bottle to show when it is empty, half full and full. Ask questions such as “Do you want more milk or less then this?” Use real life examples such as one leaf and a heap of leaves, one moon and many stars, one head and so many hair strands.

Comparison

Talk about what is tall, what is short in simple terms, such as ‘that plant is short, this one is tall’. Use analogies for thin and fat. Talk about distance as you travel somewhere - the market is very far away, your school is close by. Whenever the child is telling something ask him to describe it - how far, how close, was it short, how short, was it tall, how tall and so on.

Time

Do not start with a clock, since it is a complicated mechanism. Start with the movement of sun, day and night. Relate morning to light, sunshine, bath and breakfast. Talk about evening as a time to play, have milk, take a nap, eat dinner, go to sleep – for example, say “now the sun has gone to sleep, so we will go to sleep.” Talk in terms of before and after to explain past and present.

Money

Start talking money only after three, as kids need to learn to identify the currency. Tell your child what takes money to buy and why we need to count. Let the child count coins and pay for small things.

Consistent but casual

It is important to be consistent and casual. The goal here is to introduce the concepts and develop familiarity .It is going to take your child some time till this concept become part of his lingo. Keep patience and just go about talking even if the child is taking time to pick up new concepts. If you make it strenuous for him remember he is going to dislike it more. If you help him develop comfort and liking for these concepts half of your job is done. Remember to change the content of your talk when the child is done with a concept. When you feel he is through with 0 and 1, move on to 2 and 3.

Buy math story books

Math story books are available for children of different ages. Make them a part of your daily reading. Do not pick up number books before the child is three, it can get very boring. Use drawings, modeling clay, colours and household objects to explain the concept.

When to Start?

You can begin as early as 2. Only thing to be aware is not to push it hard and keep it age-appropriate.

By Anita Dagar