How to Jump-Start your Kids Math Skills

So, what can you do as a Parent to Jump-Start your Kids Math Skills? When can you start?

Here are some Strategies can be started as early as Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade. They are appropriate for any person of any age who needs help with basic mathematics concepts and skills. The trick is to do these exercises both orally and visually, with little or no writing.  Pictures can be used as visual aids.
Real-World objects (coins, blocks...) should be used as appropriate.

Counting

We all teach our kids to count and it seems so basic, but how is this going to “Jump Start” our kids math skills?  The answer is going deeper in to what counting means. The most basic skills in mathematics are counting and grouping (“seeing” numbers in groups). We as parents need to develop counting skills that go well beyond counting to 10 and must begin at 0.

So what do I mean by going deeper? If you help children to learn to count “from any number, to any number, by any number, counting forward and backward” they will have a more complete understanding of what counting really means.

For instance:

Count by 1s, Starting at 0 (0,1,2,3…250…),
• Then starting at any number [e.g., 28,29,30…40…]

Count by 2s, Starting at 0 (0,2,4,6…24…),
• Then starting at 1 [ 1,3,5…25…]
• Then starting at any number [e.g.,23,25,27…49…]

Count by 10s, Starting at 0 (0,10,20,30…500…),
• Then starting at 5 [ 5,15,25,…205…]
• Then starting at any number [e.g., 37,47,57,…347…]

Count by 1/2s, Starting at 0 (0, 1/2, 1, 1 1/2,…5 …),
• Then by 1/4’s starting at 0 [0, 1/4, 2/4[1/2], 3/4, 4/4[1], 1 1/4…]
• Then by 3/4’s starting at 0 [0, 3/4, 1 1/2, 2 1/4, 3…]

Count by 15s, Starting at 0 (0, 15, 30… 120…)

Counting by 3s, 4s, 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, 11s, 12s, 20s, 25s, 50s, 75s, 100s, and 150s, starting at 0.

The benefits of this type of counting practice are strong addition skills and the painless development of Times Tables. It also starts to develop a number sense with kids and keeps them from having to slow down to finger count as their math lessons become more complex.

Counting is the most basic foundational skill in Mathematics. Teaching children this way lets them understand the value of the numbers they are using and the relationship they have with each other. This one skill can truly help them become better mathematicians in the future.

James & Jennifer Speer - Mathnasium of Bryan/College Station
For more Information and Tips visit www.Mathnasium.com