Encouraging the exploration of math
I can’t tell you at what age I learned how many sides a triangle has, but I can tell you the age at which I understood subtraction.
Shapes and math: Both are concepts we begin learning at a young age, and one can be more easily understood than the other. However, when the two are taught concurrently, such as within the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, young minds can better understand both applications.
There are two significant and complementary areas that make up the kindergarten content within the CCSSM. The first allows a child to use sets of objects to represent, relate and operate with whole numbers. The second focuses on describing shapes and space.
Ultimately, children fresh out of kindergarten should be able to demonstrate their understanding of shapes by analyzing, comparing, creating and drawing them.
So, what can you do to keep the learning process going once your preschooler is home from school?
As parents, there are several strategies you can use at home to help your child better learn to recognize and compare shapes, while learning the basic fundamentals of mathematics.
Identify shapes. Take a triangle, for example. While you may ask your child what shape his slice of grilled cheese is, how about using this as an opportunity to explore the different types of triangles, such as equilateral (equal on all three sides), isosceles (at least two equal sides), scalene (each side having a different length) and right (one angle is a right angle)? You can take it one step further by going outside and exploring your immediate environment; have your child identify different triangles he or she finds. Add on circles, squares and so on.
Introduce math words. While this will take place in the classroom, continue the learning experience by using items at home to incorporate math words. Use Goldfish crackers (what’s the shape of the cracker?) to demonstrate addition and subtraction, or use bath time as an opportunity to count toys.
Compare shapes. Shapes are all around us. What are the differences between the shape of a door and the shape of a book? A piece of construction paper? Your child can then compare triangles, circles and rectangles, from the refrigerator to the door frame.
This segues into two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional shapes. Take out the recycling bin. Compare the two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes you find inside. Paper towel roll? Cylinder. What about the cereal box, before (three-dimensional) and after (twodimensional) you flattened it?
More informal ways to identify shapes with your child are:
On the road. When you stop at a stop sign, ask your child how many sides there are on the sign? Do the same with yield signs or mile markers.
At the store. Use shape games to make grocery shopping fun. What shape is a can, and what shape is an orange? How are they different? Compare items on the conveyor belt, asking your child how many shapes he can find.
Making shapes. Find a recipe online to make Play-doh, and find tools you can give your child to use to make different kinds of shapes.
Have them make a ball, but explain in math words, that it is in fact, a sphere.
Helping your preschooler figure out what makes shapes alike and different at home or in the car will only complement what he or she is learning in the classroom.
By using everyday objects at home (toys, food items or crayons), your preschooler can continue learning, possibly without realizing they are.
Karen E. Wissing is the public relations and marketing manager for Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center. Part of Sci-Port’s mission is to spark curiosity about the world around us, including within informal settings.
Email your questions, comments or suggestions to kwissing@sciport.org. Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/sciport.
