Learning Path Stones

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.

More Than, Less Than

More Than, Less Than
The concept of more than/less than deepens a child's number sense by teaching him to compare numbers. Children begin with informal and approximate comparisons using the terms "more" and "less"; then they learn the terms and symbols for greater than (>), less than (<) and equal to (=).

Place Value

Place Value
Fundamental to mathematics and computation, place value gives children the ability to compare tens to hundreds, hundreds to thousands, and so on - as well as to understand and count money.

Shapes

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

Parts of a Whole

Parts of a Whole
Children first come to understand about part-whole relationships through sharing. It is only later that this knowledge becomes formalized and builds the foundation for learning decimals, fractions and precentages.

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.

Multiplication

Multiplication
Children begin to understand multiplication as repeated addition through models (such as adding three groups of two blocks). They begin to memorize multiplication tables, and finally, to multiply 2- and 3- digit numbers, using division to check the results.

Division

Division
Children start by using models (blocks, diagrams, drawings) to represent divison as repeated subtraction, or the inverse of multiplication. Finally, they use long division to divide 2- and 3- digit numbers with remainders and decimals.

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.

Awards

• Parenting Magazine - Mom Tested Toys of the Year Award 2008
• Parents Magazine - Best Toys of the Year Award 2008
• Children's Technology Review - Editor's Choice 2008