Learning Path Stones

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.

Vowels

Vowels
Spelling begins with regular short vowel sounds (cap) and long vowel sounds (with silent e, cap becomes cape). Finally, children learn the rules and patterns of vowel pairs (ee), digraphs (ai in train), dipthongs (oi in boil) and r-controlled vowels (farm, bird).

Consonants

Consonants
There are more consonants sounds than there are consonants in the alphabet. A consonant digraph is a pair of consonants that stand for a single sound (ch, sh, th, wh).

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.

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.

The Alphabet

The Alphabet
Knowing the letters of the alphabet is one of the first steps toward learning to read and write. Introducing letters to young children helps them learn to recognize the different shapes and names - an early indicator for reading achievement.

Phonics Skills

Phonics Skills
Before they can read independently, children must learn the relationship of letters to their sounds and be able to distinguish individual sounds, or phonemes, within words. Phonics skills help children sounds out new words (If I can read "pot", then I can read "hot" and "spot").

Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness
Encouraging children to play outdoors, to explore their surroundings and take an interest in plants, insects and animals will help them learn about their enviroment. In time they will learn about how our planet works and make responsible decisions.

Space Science

Space Science
In space science children are taught about the different planets in our solar system and their moons as well as about our moon, the sun and the universe. The science of astronomy and space travel gets progressively more detailed and eventually incorporates physics and math.

Sight Words and Homophones

Sight Words and Homophones
Sight words are words that can't be sounded out and so must be learned by sight (the, he, she , was, and so on). Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently, such as to, too, and two.

Shapes

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

Earth Science

Earth Science
Earth sciences (such as geology and oceanography) deal with the origin, structure and physical phenomena of the earth and the solar system.

Art and Design

Art and Design
Creating art is an exercise in learning how to see. With increased confidence in their skills, children discover that art is a vehicle for self-expression.

Time Concepts

Time Concepts
Babies quickly get in to a routine of milk, play sleep before they learn that clocks measure time and that there is a pattern to the days of the week. Concepts of time (now, soon, yesterday, next week, this summer) and times of day (morning, night) allow children to describe the past, present and future.

Awards

• 2008 - National Parenting Publications, Honors Award