Thursday, May 6, 2010

How to Teach Baby Math - Quantity Recognition, Quantity Equations, and Problem Solving

Can you really teach babies math? If so, how do you teach baby math? Teaching Baby Math consists of exposing your child to the basic language of math at a time when their brain can best grasp it. Here is how to teach Baby Math:

First, teach 1 to 100 using quantity finishing with 0. Quantity is represented by red dots arranged in random formation. When you introduce 1-5 and 6-10 go in order. After that, make sure to shuffle the cards before every lesson.

Teaching Baby Math Schedule:

Day 1: Cover 1-5 three times.
Day 2: Cover 1-5 and 6-10 three times each for a total of six lessons.
Day 3: Shuffle 1-10 six lessons.
Day 6: Everyday, retire 2 numbers and add 2 (or more) new ones. In other words, take out 1 and 2, add 11 and 12. You may need to do more than 2 cards depending on your child.
Day 10: Once you have covered 1-20 incorporate equations. Three equations per lesson with three additional lessons per day for a total of nine lessons. Start with addition, then subtraction followed by multiplication and end with division. Use only two step equations (ex. 1+2=3) spending 2 weeks on each operation showing your child a different equation each time. You are teaching the language of math not drilling in specific facts.

When this cycle is completed your child should be given the opportunity to choose the correct answer between 2 or 3 choices. You do not ask for the answer outright as this would be testing and will diminish your child's joy of learning. Simply give you child one problem solving opportunity at the end of the equation lessons, meaning four equations per lesson. If your child does not answer or is going to answer wrong, show correct answer cheerfully and move on. You may then proceed to three step equations (ex. 1x2x3=6) for a few weeks.

When your child is ready you can mix equations: addition with subtraction and multiplication with division. You never mix addition/subtraction with multiplication/division. This will lead to errors as you need to first understand the rule of Order of Operations to be successful, a task left for when your child is in school.

Flashcards have traditionally been the tool for how to teach Baby Math. Large, square cards with red dots flashed one after the other at a speed of less than 1 second per card. Computer based programs have immensely helped how to teach baby math as there is no need to make, buy or store the flashcards. It also makes the actual lessons easier since there is no fumbling and you get to bond as you both experience the lesson together.



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