DiscussionWhat shapes does a child need to know for kindergarten?
In Kindergarten, children typically learn the names of basic shapes, including some 3-dimensional shapes. Before entering Kindergarten, you can encourage your child to recognize shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles in everyday life. For example, you can tell your child that you see something in the room that looks...
Mathematics
My son knows basic shapes. What shapes should I teach him next?
If your child already easily recognizes squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles, he may be interested in learning about other 2-dimensional shapes and some basic 3-dimensional shapes. Your child may be excited to learn that a shape with 5 sides is called a “pentagon” and a 6-sided shape is called a “hexagon”. In addition to flat, 2...
Mathematics
How can I help my child master skip counting?
Skip counting is a skill that can help children become more confident in mathematical problem solving and in daily tasks such as counting money. Children often begin by skip counting by tens: 0, 10, 20, 30, and so on. In many classrooms, children learn to skip count while looking at a 100 chart. A 100 chart shows the numbers 1 to 100 i...
Mathematics
My child can count by 10s but not 5s. How can I help her?
Skip counting is a skill that can help children become more confident in mathematical problem solving and in daily tasks such as counting money. Counting by tens is a great place to start! In many classrooms, children learn to count by fives while looking at a 100 chart. A 100 chart shows the numbers 1 to 100 in ten rows of ten. You ca...
Mathematics
I’ve never considered myself good at math. How can I help my child stay confident?
It is wonderful that you want to help your child have a more positive experience with mathematics than you had. To do this, it’s important to avoid telling your child that you were not “good at math” because your child may begin to believe that mathematics success is related to an innate talent, rather than practice and perseverance. W...
Mathematics
My toddler is learning at a preschool level but isn't ready for preschool. How can I challenge him?
This is a great opportunity to provide your toddler with printables and activities that challenge him to grasp early reading and math skills. Browse the Preschool and Pre-K printables and activities on Learning Path that focus on basic letter and number learning. Encourage your child to call out letters or words in books as you read to...
Reading & Writing
What should I do beyond counting to prepare my daughter for math?
Play is a great way to introduce your child to a wide variety of mathematical concepts. For example, engaging in pretend play helps children practice many important pre-math skills such as symbolic thinking and problem solving. Playing with blocks is another fun way to teach your child about basic math concepts such as size and shape. ...
Mathematics
My daughter has difficulty reading two-digit numbers. Any ideas?
In some languages (e.g., Chinese), spoken numbers correspond exactly to their written equivalent. English number names, however, are irregular making them more difficult to learn. You can help your daughter by first focusing on numbers 11-20. These numbers are unique in that they do not follow any sort of pattern. Make a game out of fi...
Mathematics
How can I help my son learn about calendars?
Research shows that children do not truly understand the concept of time until the first or second grade. Even though your son might be able to memorize the days of the week, he does not have a true understanding of what a day is. With this in mind, focus on introducing him to concepts such as before and after, and talk to him about wh...
Mathematics
Should I let my son spend gift money on anything he pleases?
Whether children should be allowed to choose what they buy with gift money is a personal choice and will differ for parents depending on their own values and beliefs. One alternative to allowing him to spend his gift money on anything he wants is to allow him to choose from a selection of acceptable options (e.g., any puzzle from this ...
Mathematics
My son is struggling with counting. How can I help him?
By the time most children are five years of age, they are able to count to 20. If your son is still struggling with counting, try making a game out of counting objects throughout the day – apples at a grocery store or the number of seconds it takes for the traffic light to turn green – and count out loud with your child. You can also h...
Mathematics
When do kids really learn to count?
As with reading and talking, parents can introduce mathematical thinking from the start. Counting everyday objects (stairs, blocks, snacks) is a fun beginning. Some toddlers may even repeat a few numbers or memorize a sequence of numbers, though this is usually by rote, rather than a true understanding of numbers or counting. This is t...
Mathematics