You already know that reading aloud to your child daily can have a huge impact on literacy development. Did you know that doing math together at home is also important? By integrating math into your daily lives at home, you as parents are teaching your child not only that math really is applicable to our daily lives, but that you value it as an area of study. Finding a variety of ways to work through problems together prevents children from developing the self-narrative of “I’m not good at math” before it ever starts.
Looking for tips to get started?
In the Kitchen
While there are likely nights you need to whip up a quick dinner, get everyone fed and off to bed, it can sometimes be nice to find ways to invite your children to cook with you. Doing so has a host of benefits, including the development of practical life skills, confidence building, and family bonding, but there are also plenty of opportunities to learn about and practice math skills.
Consider what it takes to make a meal. From reading a recipe, to combining ingredients, thinking about cooking temperatures, and even how long to cook a meal, there are a wide variety of skills your child can experience first-hand:
At the Store
Shopping is one of those frequent life necessities, and we often have our children in tow. Turn this family chore into a fun learning experience by incorporating math. Here are some ideas for a variety of ages:
In the Car
Whether you’re making the quick drive to school in the morning or settling in for a lengthy family road trip, it’s possible to incorporate math skills along the journey. The key is to make it fun and not work!
The Backyard
Believe it or not, your own backyard is likely full of real-life math opportunities. Whether you’re gardening, making repairs, or building something together, keep an eye out for things like:
No matter where you are or what you’re doing, your children love just spending time with you. Finding simple ways to incorporate mathematical thinking can be a fun way to squeeze a little bit of learning out of an already enjoyable experience.
Remember to ask your child lots of questions, but don’t feel like you need to give them the answers right away. When we discover something for ourselves, the information is so much more powerful. Of course, if they seem confused or ask for help, it’s okay to model and teach!
Let us know what you learn together!