Learning Path Stones

Keyboarding

Keyboarding
Learning to use the keyboard is another step in becoming computer literate. It can take a while for children to learn the positioning of each key, but simply searching for the right key helps children with letter recognition. Eventually, they'll be able to use the keyboard commands as an alternative to using the mouse.

Mousing

Mousing
Children start off using the computer mouse before they learn how to use the keys. It's best to get a child-sized mouse so that it's small enough for children to handle correctly. Within a short space of time children become adept at navigating the screen using the mouse to point and click.

Screen Navigation

Screen Navigation
Children quickly learn the basics of screen navigation. By pointing and clicking they can open programs they can use to help them learn.

Shapes

Shapes
Identifying and manipulating shapes lays the groundwork for geometry by giving children concrete experience with angles, symmetry and relative sizes.

Decimals, Fractions and Percentage

Decimals, Fractions and Percentage
Children first understand fractions as parts of a whole or parts of a set. They begin to connect fractions to decimals, and finally to percentages.

Early Number Sense

Early Number Sense
As early as 6 months, babies begin to understand the concept of numbers, noticing small groups of one, two or three things. As children develop number sense they learn to count by ones, skip count and count backwards, gaining the foundation for operations. Children who have good number sense find learning operations like addition and subtraction much easier.

Number Recognition

Number Recognition
To begin their study of math, children must distinguish numerals from letters and shapes and understand that numbers are symbols for amounts.

Sequencing

Sequencing
Even toddlers can often recite number names in order, but the ability to compare and order numbers in sequence indicates a practical application of number concepts.

Addition

Addition
Once children know that numbers are symbols for objects (2 stands for two cars) they learn to count sets, or groups of objects, to find sums. Finally, sets of objects can be replaced by numerals and added together in equations.

Subtraction

Subtraction
The inverse of addition is subtraction - to take away objects and tell how many are left. Once children grasp subtraction, sets of objects can be replaced by numerals in equations.