Encouraging math is a struggle. Parents and teachers want children to know the math basics without returnig to the repetititve “drill and kill” math of the past. But math can become exciting. Think of math as the shapes, patterns and relationships of the real world. Think of math as art and creativity.
Here are some ideas to help your children see the real-life math that they will love:
Make math hands-on
In a world full of commercial games and puzzles, help children to make their own. They can put together their own good luck puzzles, create personal math cards, or invent their own logic games. Have them put aside electronic calculators from time to time, and help them to create a calculator of their own, an abacus, or a math-whiz triangle.
Take math outside
Walk outside with children to study the patterns of a seashell, a pine cone, or a pussywillow. Look at the geometry that makes a spiderweb so strong. Predict a count of daisy petals. Gaze at the symmetry of a butterfly’s wings or of a horse in full gallop.
Take math on vacation
One of the joys of a trip is to see (and perhaps sketch) the shapes and patterns of a beautiful landscape. A vacation may give you the opportunity to admire the night sky or the golden proportions of historic buildings. Decades later, a child may still remember standing with you to contemplate the vast distances and inscrutable patterns of the heavens.
Encourage kids to keep a sketch book and observations notebook
Parents and English teachers often suggest the idea of keeping a journal as soon as a child can write. Now science and math teachers are seeing what a good idea it is for children to sketch and write about what they see.
Make charts and graphs with your children
Charts and graphs seem to fascinate children, whether they are tracking their own rates of growth, the local weather, a school softball game, donations to a charity, or the completion of household tasks.
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