Math Fun Day #4

Second and Third graders from De Anza Elementary school participate in fun math activities with Mountain View High School from 9 AM-12 PM, March 27, 2018. 

The formula for Success:  Engaging Families in Early Math Learning
 
Early math ability is one of the best predictors of children’s later success in school because children’s learning begins in the home, families are fundamental in shaping children’s interest and skills in math. The experience of learning and doing the math, however, looks different from the instruction that previously taught when most adults were in school, and many parents harbor anxiety about math. For this reason, families need guidance, inspiration, and motivation to support their young children’s mathematical development efficiently. Research shows that math is part of our everyday lives, and as such, is conditioned by relationships, culture, and values;  math can be an enjoyable parent-child experience; and
 
Young children’s math development begins in infancy and continues throughout the early childhood years and beyond. Moreover, children learn math anytime, anywhere, even before they go to preschool. For this reason, families are critical to supporting children’s mathematics development. They can provide this support directly by using objects for counting, stacking, and recognizing shapes. They can also offer assistance indirectly, by connecting their children to math learning environments outside of the home (e.g., in libraries, museums, early childhood programs). However, to do so, families need access to information about what math development is and how to support it, which is often not transparent or readily available.
 
What do young children need to know about math?

Families and educators recognize that number concepts are essential for children’s math development.  However, geometry and measurement also represent fundamental ideas young children benefit from learning about in their homes and community settings.