How to help your child build their numeracy skills for a future in STEM

Have you noticed your little one using numbers more and more in their day-to-day life? They may have started counting out loud, identifying shapes, or already moved on to more serious topics like measurements, and yes, even fractions!
As your child grows and develops their natural curiosity, numeracy or math skills will begin to play a larger role in their education. Fast forward to when your child is in high school; they may be    considering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields as a career option. And to ensure the next generation of STEM professionals have the foundation they need, it’s important that math is stimulating, enjoyable, and memorable—right from a preschool level!
While your child develops numeracy at school, here’s how you can use their daily routine at  home to help hone their skills.
But first, so you know where to start, here’s a list of early mathematical concepts and skills that your child may need later on in elementary school.

• Counting out loud (forwards and backwards)
• Recognizing numerals
• Identifying quantity (more and less)
• Understanding size, shape, and patterns
• Sorting objects into categories (matching sets according to quantity and shapes)
  Reference: New Jersey Model Curriculum, Kindergarten, Mathematics

Now that we know what skills your child needs to learn and understand, the next step is to incorporate numeracy into their daily routine.

Taking the Numeracy + Play route

Math doesn’t have to be serious, dreary, or cumbersome. It can be interesting and playful and still positively engage young learners. In fact, studies show that establishing a positive attitude toward numeracy early in life has a profound effect on how it is perceived through their years spent in academia. So to make numbers fun and approachable, it’s a great idea to make it as purposeful and tangible as possible. Here are some ways to go about it:

Counting

Get your child to accurately count objects, for example, a bowl of candy. You can start off by encouraging them to count forwards and then backwards. A more complex skill would be to sense the relationship between numbers—like asking them to add or subtract candy from the bowl.

Representation

Make mathematical ideas ‘real’ by using words, pictures, symbols, and objects. For example, ask your child to set out a pretend picnic or tea party. Instruct them to lay out plates and cups for a determined number of guests and watch them apply this information to the cutlery they choose.

Measurement

If your child understands basic measurements, ask them to find the length, height, and weight of random household objects using units like inches, feet, or pounds. Or get them to measure time, for example, the minutes it takes to brush their teeth.

Patterns

Patterns help children learn to make predictions, to understand what comes next, to make logical connections, and to use reasoning skills. For example, ask your child questions related to patterns while you take them for a walk: “What number would the next house in this street be?’

Problem-solving

The ability to think through a problem is to recognize that there is more than one path to the answer. It means using past knowledge and logical thinking skills to find an answer. For example, while playing a sport, encourage your child to work out scenarios like how many more points they need to win the game.

Remember, all these activities are about providing playful opportunities for your child to build their numeracy skills in ways that suit them. All you have to do is inspire, spark their curiosity, and encourage them to look for answers. And who’s to say, one day your child may grow and develop their interests in math to other STEM programs. 

Head on over to byjuslearning.com to learn more about our Active Learning approach to Math, Language, and Reading for children between Pre-K and Grade 3.