How to Develop a Baby's Mathematical Ability

Just as there are basics for crawling, there are basics for mathematical thinking that can be started between the ages of 6 to 12 months. This article gives ideas of things that can be done at home to initiate this type of thinking.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• High chair
• Age appropriate handheld colorful and/or musical toys
• Small colorful cups
• Alphabet block

1. Place baby in the high chair with one toy and let him explore it. This will help him develop reasoning skills. More toys may be added as the baby loses interest in the one he has.
2. Place the cups upside down on the tray for the high chair. Pick one cup up and place the block underneath. You can do this until the baby notices and tries to get the block.
3. With the same cups and block you can move the cups around until baby finds the block. If you do this multiple times remember to change the color of the cup covering the block.
4. Using body parts to help baby learn. A baby at 6 months old will probably have already noticed her hands and maybe her toes. When the baby is looking at her hands, you can encourage this by discussing it with her. For example, “Those are your hands and they are very strong.” The use of body parts will also work when you are playing with the baby. You can guide her hand to your cheek and identify it.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the toys used are too large to be swallowed.