How to Help Children Develop Their Mathematical Skills 

The capacity to identify and use mathematical skills in all facets of life is known as numeracy.

Commonplace exercises such as counting, examining shapes, and discussing sizes can support children’s early math and numeracy development.

Numeracy abilities are taught to children from the moment they are born. Numeracy is observed and experienced in action, particularly in routine play and activities, to facilitate this learning process. It occurs, for instance, when your child:

Determines how many apple slices they want after hearing you count their fingers and toes. Begins to recognize numbers and forms on items like phones, clocks, and books.

Children learn additional numeracy and mathematical skills as they become older, including measurement and size. This occurs, for instance, when your child:

Compares objects that are “big,” “small,” and “medium” in size.

Combines items and discusses what is “same” and “different.”

Utilizes terms like “over,” “under,” and “next to” to indicate where objects are; assists in setting the table with the appropriate amount of plates, forks, spoons, and cups; fills a water bottle; assists with shopping and uses money to make purchases; divides food into equal portions.

Additionally, it helps your child appreciate the value of math when you discuss arithmetic concepts with them in everyday activities. This occurs, for instance, when you draw attention to:

Huge and tiny (dimensions)

Lofty and lowly (altitude)

Both weighty and light

Both swift and sluggish

First, second, and last (order), close and far (distance).

Your child can build communication, imagination, and other skills for understanding arithmetic concepts through play, reading, everyday activities, and talking. Here are a few concepts.

Ideas For Conversation

Explain what you and your child are seeing and doing together using mathematical concepts. For instance, “This bag is heavy” or “Look at the fast cars.”

Talk about your preparations while you’re cooking. For instance, “Let’s share these sultanas – one for me and one for you” or “I’m chopping this orange in half.”

When you encounter numbers, such as those on road signs, mailboxes, and buses, point them out and give them names.

Discuss nearby and distant objects when you’re out and about. Say, “It’s quite far to the lake,” or “Let’s sit on that bench nearby to have our snack.” Do you want to take a spin in the pram?

Discuss events that take place during specific hours of the day. Say, “Let’s go to the park before we have dinner at 6 pm,” or “We eat breakfast at 7 am.”