How To Teach Your Child To Count? At Home Toddler Learning Tips – Encourage & They’ll Achieve
Posted: Tuesday, August 24, 2010
by Kacycarr
http://www.spotthepimple.com
How should a parent go about teaching their child to count? Does this come across as a silly question to you? Well it shouldn't. People have different views on the subject and therefore the way to teach a child to count will vary among parents that show a difference of opinion, and of course not forgetting the "CHILD" in question who will have a lot to do with the success of your attempt in trying to educate them.
You know your child better than anyone else, so this should give you a good idea on what will keep your little boy or girl focused on their numbers.
Depending on the age of the child it might help that the lesson be seen as a game in the eyes of the toddler rather than a time they have to sit still and concentrate. I have yet to meet a toddler with a pencil in his or her hand stay quiet for long that is unless they are scribbling on the wall.
Fortunately I never had this with my boys who over the years have made me very proud. Every time I look at the plaques engraved with the words "school's top mathematician" of the year they were each awarded, tells me I must have done something right in the way they were schooled at home.
I remember the time when I was asked to attend the school of both boys on separate occasions only to be told that they were geniuses for their age; they were 5 at the time. Then there was the time when I had to sign papers for a special teacher to come from out of town to advise my youngest sons form teacher on how to teach him. I have no doubt their achievements were down to having a good time in lesson time (with mom).
Teach your child to count
1. Make counting fun; make everything within the learning period exciting. Make lesson time, a time they can't wait for to come. Children should look forward to learning their numbers. If you achieve this then you'll likely have a scholar on your hands at a young age. Don't be pushy and have patience. Keep the learning time light and teach that numbers are fun to avoid stress. If you bully a kid into doing something then the outcome will not be that of what you anticipated.
2. Be generous with praise when the child does well. Keep up with the fun thing in the classroom (lounge, kitchen or bedroom)? If the child is having a good time they will want to stick around and not wander off. The longer you keep them occupied then the more knowledge they get.
3. Use props to help the child learn to count. Count actual items that the child can observe rather than using abstract numbers that can make it difficult to relate the numbers to real objects. Toys are good to use for this, however, for some kids this may not be a good idea. You could try using ingredients from the pantry or bits and pieces from the garden such as petals and leaves etc.
4. Make counting numbers into a game. Be sure to reward the child when he/she tries hard. Involve yourself and tell the child that you want to be the pupil and will they teach you your numbers. Go with the flow and accept whatever they have in store for you when they become tutor. If they count two bowls of custard and decide to get stuck into it then let them as its all part of the fun. Nonetheless prepare for mess if you are working with colouring paints and crazy foams etc.
5. Purchase counting books created especially for small toddlers that feature brightly-coloured items for the child to count. A book that comes strongly recommended is one I designed and put together myself called "10 B Best Buddies Colourful World of Counting". They are hand drawn friendly masked little musclemen that have a great influence over kids in an educational way. Find out more about the Buddies at the bottom of the page.
6. Remember if the fun has gone then its game over, or should I say lesson. Children tend to enjoy having a mad mommy that's acts crazy to teach them before that of the parent who sits looking over her glasses while they learn to read or write. Play games like the item hide and seek. Ask the toddler to find items (use sweets, fruit or coloured building blocks) that you have hidden around the home. Encourage the child to gather the items and put them into groups to be counted.
7. Show the child you are enjoying their company, and it will be reciprocated. Let them see you counting out loud on your fingers, or you could sing the numbers out aloud if you like. If it works and your child is having fun and learning at the same time then forget about the neighbours and reach for them notes if you have to mom.
Babies that dont sleep as much as you would like them too
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)YES IT DID HELP I WAS GETTING IMPATIENT WITH MY TODDLERS NOW I KNOW I MUST KEEP IT AS PLAY GAME AND BE PATIENTHi Agnes it sounds like you were near to pulling your hair out. I promise you that the kids will learn in the right environment.The more colour and fun you bring into their lesson time, not only will the toddlers learn, but you too, as in, i.e.how to get kids to concentrate and listen to mommyKeep wellKacy.
Great article Kacy. My son was a math teacher and his youngest daughter loves math. Your title caught my eye because I'm going to see my great grandsons ages 1,2,& three and now I'll have to pass this great information on to my grandsons. Thanks for sharing.(Its got to be in the genes no question) Hi Linda I pray you are well and thank you for dropping byStay safeKacy
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