Helping Your Pre-Schooler With Math-Read Math With Your Child
We have already discussed the importance of developing a good math foundation for your preschoolers. The first, easiest, and best way to add math into your child’s early life is to add math to the reading you already do with your child. It is never too early to begin reading to your child, and it is never too early to add math concepts to that reading.
It isn’t necessary to run out and buy a bunch of preschool math books, although you might mention to friends and relatives that math related story books would be a good gift idea. You probably already have books with math concepts. For example, Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a wonderful story for introducing math concepts. It allows for early counting. It has size comparisons with too little, too big, and just right. It has one-to-one matching with baby bear and the little bed. Certainly you won’t use this terminology, but as you read you can point out these concepts. Three Blind Mice, Three Little Pigs, Three Little Kittens, and Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed are other good examples you might already have.
Before spending lots of money on books, I suggest checking your local public library. You can check out books, read them with your child, and if the book seems to be one of those books your child wants you to read over and over, THEN you can buy it. Certainly use your library before buying anything you haven’t read from online sources.
If you are interested in buying your own math related books, I have several suggestions. I am a big fan of Dr. Seuss books. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb introduces large numbers. Ten Apples Up On Top! is a good counting book. One fish two fish red fish blue fish is good for counting and colors. Horton Hears a Who! even introduces the concept of infinity. Many other Dr. Seuss books contain number concepts, colors, and shapes for reading with your child.
You may have read about or heard of Baby Einstein. If so, you need to know that having your young child watching the videos is a very bad idea! Research is showing that there should be NO SCREEN TIME for children under two and very limited time for the older child. However, the Baby Einstein My First Book of Numbers is a wonderful example of what a number picture book should be.
The Sesame Street book ABC and 1 2 3 is also an excellent math related picture book.
As you look into buying math picture books, there are some things you need to consider. The book should be colorful, interesting to you, and it needs to make sense–not just rhyme. Don’t assume that because it is about numbers that it is a good book. For example, I came across a book called One, Two, Three! by Sandra Boyton. I actually got confused as I read! One line said “… and when you want to explore, the number you need is FOUR.” WHY? What does four have to do with exploring? Another page said “Seven is perfect for a play.” Again, I questioned what that even meant. Any book you pick needs to be something you can talk about with your child. Choose books that you can read with enthusiasm. If a book doesn’t make sense to you, don’t buy it. I want to reiterate that it is not necessary to buy lots of number related books because you can find number concepts like counting and making comparisons in virtually any book.
As you read to your child, you should work on what is called “the language of space.” This refers to words like front, back, top, bottom, over, under, in front of, behind, first, last, in, on, corner, edge, surface, and so on. These are all important concepts for your child to understand when they start school. They can’t line up behind the blue line if they don’t know what ‘behind’ means.
When you are reading to your child, be sure to:
- Hold your child in your lap.
- Convey to your child how much you enjoy your reading time together.
- Read everyday.
- Get involved with the story. Read with lots of enthusiasm and expression. Use different voices. Be active by pointing out things on the pages. Ask questions.
- Pay attention to your child’s responses. Know when to put the book away. If your child loses interest, do something different.
- Be prepared to read the same book over and over and be enthusiastic each time.
Above all else, make reading FUN!