Children's Math Learning
Mathematics is an essential skill for all children. The need for math knowledge spreads into nearly all aspects of our world--not just in school or at work, but in the home as well. Whether baking cookies, building a fence, or drawing blueprints for a new building, everyone uses math.
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Math Proficiency
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According to the book Helping Children Learn Mathematics, mathematics learning has "strands," known as Understanding, Computing, Applying, Reasoning and Engaging. Each strand is a stage that a child goes through in learning and using math.
Each strand is dependent on all the others, and they must all work together to make a complete 'math picture' for a child. If educators focus on only one strand, knowledge and understanding of the other strands does not necessarily follow. For successful math learning, students need to be taught to use all five mathematical strands.
Understanding and Early Math Skills
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Children as young as two begin to count, repeating the numbers they've heard parents and siblings say. They do not yet understand the meaning behind the words, however.
This understanding begins to develop around age three or four. University of Illinois education professor Art Baroody says that parents and teachers can help young children begin to grasp this essential understanding of counting by teaching them "first to recognize and distinguish among groups of one, two, and three things."
In early elementary school, when children learn simple addition and subtraction, understanding is an essential component for their overall math success. Knowing math facts is necessary, but understanding that the symbolic problem 2+6=8 can mean that two apples and six bananas are eight pieces of fruit is equally important. The words mean virtually nothing without understanding.
Computing and Memorization
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Once a child understands a mathematical operation, he needs to become fluent in computing math problems using that operation. The authors of Helping Children Learn Mathematics write that students should develop the ability to solve basic equations "rapidly and accurately."
After understanding has been firmly established, students work toward memorizing basic math facts. Educators can help students with this task by offering daily practice through games, flash cards, oral drill and worksheets.
Applying with Word Problems
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Students learn to apply math to their everyday lives in "word problem-like" situations. The understanding of mathematical operations plays a crucial role in a child's ability to apply math to real life.
She must know which operation to apply to any given situation. Without an understanding of mathematical concepts, a child cannot apply her knowledge and confusion results.
Thinking Logically about Math
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Successful students look at a math problem, visualize the relationship between the numbers, and are able to reason why the numbers interact the way they do. By asking a child to teach a math concept to another person, educators help him develop mathematical reasoning skills.
Student become engaged with math when they see it as a useful subject. This stage of math development relies on complete integration of all the other strands. Students who fully understand and can apply math skills become confident and willing to use math daily.
Math Building Blocks
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Each stage of mathematics builds upon what was learned before. For complete success, educators should take time to ensure that each child masters a set of skills before moving on to a new topic.
Math skills can be seen as a set of building blocks, in which each one must be stable and secure before the next skill-block is added.
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