Effective Parenting -Numeracy - May -06

8/8/2019 Effective Parenting -Numeracy - May -06

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How to effectively help your child with numeracy

St. Dominics International

SchoolPortugal


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What is Numeracy

Numeracy involves using mathematics efficiently inour day-to-day lives. Every day we use number,

measurement and space. Each time we shop or go tothe bank we use numbers. Our understanding of spaceis used to pack a lunchbox or to park a car. We need tounderstand how to measure things when we sew,cook, build, tell the time or listen to a weather report.


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A lways talk about mathematics in positiveways

Regardless of your own background inmathematics be positive when you discussmathematics with your children. Your encouragement will help ensure that they donot develop mental blocks about thesubject.W ork with your children to overcome troublespots. Let them know how importantmathematics is by pointing out how peopleuse mathematics in everyday life.


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Have high expectations for your children

Seek out mathematics-focused programs

and activities for your children.A

s they getolder, encourage them in their study of algebra and other courses.Encourage students to take as manyadvanced courses in senior school aspossible so that they will be prepared for whatever postsecondary option theychoose.


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G ive young children a good start inmathematics.

The seeds of many important mathematicsconcepts are planted when children are veryyoung, and early experiences can determine

how your child looks at mathematics for therest of his or her life. Its never too early to startlearning mathematics.Find things to count everyday, everywhere, andin every way. Start slowly with just a few things.A s your childrens ability to count grows, findbigger and bigger collections of different thingsfor them to count.


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Encourage children to count real objects: cookies,coins, toys, and so forth. Children discover thatcounting is more than a singsong repetition when theycount real objects.Encourage children to say one number as they toucheach object. Arrange objects in different ways for countingfor example, in piles, rows, and circles.

Have the children count blocks as they build a tower.


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Reinforce your childrens counting. When your children finish counting, you can say, One, two, three

cookies. You counted three cookies. You have threecookies!To correct a mistake, gently count again along withyour children. Make counting a game you and your children enjoyand play often.Dont worry if your child uses his or her fingers.Fingers are the best mathematical tools children haveprior to learning to write numbersand theyre alwayshandy and ready to use!When your children become proficient at counting,teach them how to count by twos, fives, and eventens. Remember that counting is fundamental agreat start for learning mathematics.


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M ake mathematics a part of your familys

everyday activities .Spend time with your children on simple board games,puzzles, and activities centered on mathematics.Involve them in activities like shopping, cooking, or homefix-it projects to show them that mathematics is practicaland useful. By pointing out the mathematics in everydaylife, you can help your children learn some basic conceptsand understand why mathematics is so important.Provide assistance when necessary, but let the childrenfigure things out by themselves.Find ways to make mathematics fun!


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Here are a few ideas for helping children

discoverand usethe mathematicsaround them.In a play area, young children can:

Sort toys by size, kind, or color.

Put dolls, cars, or blocks in order from largestto smallest.Play What Am I Thinking Of? by describing atoys size and shape.Play make-believe store with toys and favoriteobjects.


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In the kitchen, young children can:

Look for familiar two-dimensional shapescircles,squares, triangles, and so forthlike a round pot or asquare napkin.

Put cans of food in order by size or type.Sort silverware from the dishwasher to the drawer.Count plates, utensils, cups, or even olives.Divide cookies evenly so that every family member gets an equal share.

Find how many glasses of milk are in a full milk carton.Help double a recipe or cut one in half.


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Around the house

Count the days on a calendar until a special event isto occur.Find the length and width of a room by pacing it off.

Draw a diagram of how to rearrange furniture in aroom.Make a map of the whole house. Older students maydraw their maps to scale.Create a family TV schedule and track the time

devoted to watching TV.Calculate or track the statistics of favourite athletes.Help an adult by calculating the number of yards of cloth needed to make curtains or clothes.


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When outdoors

Set up and operate a lemonade stand under adultsupervision.Plant a garden with rows and columns of seeds.

Count the petals on different flowers.Measure a sunflower or bean plant daily, keepingtrack of how it grows.Count how many times he or she can jump rope or shoot baskets in a row.

Keep a daily chart of temperatures.Find triangles, squares, circles, and rectanglesaround the house or in the neighborhood.


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When travelling

Use the scale on a map to calculate theapproximate number of kilometres to a

destination.Total the daily costs of a trip (for food,mileage, bus or train tickets, for example),and then determine the average daily

expenses after the trip is completed.


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Notice mathematics in the world at largeMathematics is everywhere. It is in the world thatsurrounds us: in nature, in the city, in the country, andeven in outer space. You can help your children see theusefulness of mathematics if you point it out to themwherever you see it.Tell your children about the mathematics you do in your

job and its importance to your work.When you are outside your home, look for ways to pointout mathematics: What shape does that tree look like?What is the shape of a football playing field, and what isthe distance between goals?Mathematics is all around us. If you start looking for examples, you will see more and more mathematicseverywhere. And so will your children.


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B ecome familiar with what your children are

studying in mathematicsAsk the children what they are studying inmathematics class, talk with them about

mathematics homework, and help with schoolprojects when it is appropriate.Talk with your childrens teachers; feel free toask them about the mathematics objectives

for your childrens year levels.


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Good Study Habits

Providing a well-lighted table and comfortable chair is animportant place to start.The best location for homework is not necessarily your

sons or daughters bedroom. If your child studies at thekitchen or dining room table instead, you can help withouthaving to sit down the entire time.You can assist when help is needed and still go aboutyour own tasks. At the same time, you have theopportunity to keep homework time focused by givingyour child support, encouragement, and gentle reminders.


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A good strategy is to pass by your childs work

area and periodically check in.A quick glance will often tell you if its time tostop and provide some extra support .When it is clear that your child could usesome assistance, take a deep breath andrelax. If you stay calm, it will help your childstay calm.


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How might you begin? What can you try first?Can you make a drawing or picture to get started?

While your child is working on a problem, ask:How can you organize your information? Will a list or table help?What would happen if ? Show me what you did thatdidnt work.

Can you explain the strategy youre using to solvethis? Why did you ?What could you do next? Do you see any patterns?

Some suggested questionsSome suggested questions you might

ask.


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How did you get your answer? Do you think itsright? Tell me more.Explain why your solution makes sense.When questions alone just wont do, another strategy for helping your child is to identify a friend or relative who knows more mathematics than you do.Find out if that person would be willing to answer anoccasional phone call from your son or daughter.

W hen your child finds an answer


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Useful

Websites

The Math Forums Ask Dr. Math:http://forum.swarthmore.edu/dr.math/

BigChalk.com:http://www.bigchalk.com/

Homework Helper:http://www.aplusmath.com/hh/


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Effective Parenting -Numeracy - May -06