Take a Tour of Our Continuum
Our Early Learning and Development Continuum includes nine domains with goals for ages birth to five. Each month these concepts are embedded in new themes and daily lesson plans. Join us as we explore the domains and show you how FunShine curricula will build skills and make learning fun!
Math is a fundamental tool used to describe the world around us. You might not need to solve complex equations daily, but math helps us understand patterns and relationships in everything from the weather to managing money. And that understanding is critical for making sound decisions in our personal and professional lives. Like adults, children use early math skills on a daily basis. This could be during their routine or at play, getting dressed, or going grocery shopping—all of these are great math teaching opportunities!
Mathematical knowledge starts during infancy and undergoes development over the first five years. It is just as natural for young children to think mathematically as it is for them to use language. More advanced skills are based on an early math foundation. You can help your child begin to develop early math skills by introducing the following ideas.
Number Sense
Number sense is a broad term that describes the ability to understand numbers and the relationships between numbers. Number sense includes skills and knowledge such as:
- Rote counting
- Number recognition
- Comparing quantity
- Counting with one-to-one correspondence
Representation
Representation provides the mental scaffolding for children to move their mathematical understanding from concrete to abstract. This means children are able to use visual or pictorial representations to represent concrete examples.
Spatial Sense
Spatial sense is the basic understanding of shape, size, position and direction, and being able to describe and classify the physical world we live in. In later schooling, this is referred to as “geometry.” For children, spatial sense is about their awareness of themselves in relation to the people and things around them.
Measurement
In early childhood, measurement activities relate to the ability to recognize and define the size or amount of something. These are typically established with nonstandard units of measure, such as using blocks, unifix cubes, and counters to measure height.
Patterns
Patterns are much more than a set of repeating forms. A pattern is a collection of numbers, forms, or objects that adhere to a set of rules in order to remain the same or change over time. Numeracy skills are built on the foundation of patterns. Patterns help children make predictions because they begin to understand what comes next. They also help children learn how to make logical connections and use reasoning skills.
Problem-Solving
Children are natural problem solvers. Problem-solving skills provide children with the ability to think through problems and recognize there is more than one path to the answer. It means using past knowledge and logical thinking skills to find a solution.
Math Activities
Ages 0-3: Rainbow Stacking Toy
Understanding the concept of same vs different is important for toddlers; it helps them start to distinguish and learn the world around them visually. Children learn how to scan their environment and notice differences, and follow directions more clearly.
For example, you might tell a toddler to grab the blue circle on the floor. That’s much easier for them to understand than just asking, “Please get the toy on the floor.” The Hedgehog Rainbow Stacker in the Buttercups® curriculum is a great multipurpose toy that can support teaching the concept of noticing differences.
Ages 3-5: Counting Links
Sorting helps children develop visual perception, fine motor muscles, reasoning and problem-solving skills. While working on classifying and grouping objects, children’s minds are analyzing similarities and differences. Learning how to sort also helps children develop the ability to organize and process information. The Oval Counting Links in the Fireflies® curriculum can be used for many math activities, such as sorting by color.
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