How to Teach Math to Toddlers
Your child can get a head start in math if you expose her to basic math concepts from toddlerhood. But don't expect her to sit down for formal lessons. There are many early math concepts that will build your toddler's skills and prepare her for learning about numbers. The best way to expose toddlers to math is to blend early math concepts and numbers into everyday life so that the skills are acquired as easily as learning about nature or her own body.
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Instructions
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Show the toddler how to sort objects even if he cannot yet name the shapes and colors verbally. Use a muffin tin and place a different shape of pasta in each hole. Give him a small pile of mixed up pasta shapes and have him place identical shapes in the same muffin cup. This activity can also be done with different colors of sweets or different LEGO blocks.
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Make a simple repetitive pattern and have your child complete the pattern. Choose two colors of blocks and place them alternately. Say the pattern out loud for your toddler, for example "red, blue, red, blue, red..." and pause for her to fill in the missing block. Try a pattern with spoons and forks or other household objects. Start with only two varieties and increase to three only once your child has mastered a pattern with two.
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Have your child match simple household objects. Let him find the cutlery with matching patterns or the matching plastic cups and bowls in your kitchen cupboard. Ask him to find the matching socks when you sort your washing or find the matching pajama set.
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Bring numbers into your toddler's everyday life. For example, when she goes to grab a handful of biscuits, ask her to take just one. Hold up one finger and applaud her when she takes only one. This will help her to understand the difference between one and many. Count out two socks for her two feet, count as she jumps on the trampoline or as she claps her hands. Give her two or three teddy bears, and have her put out the correct number of plates, cups and spoons for her teddy bears' picnic. Even if she does not know how to count verbally, she will be able to match one plate to one bear. This is an important math skill. Verbalize the numbers for her until she learns them. Introduce the numbers three and four, once she understands the concept of one and two.
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Tips & Warnings
Children learn through play, so all of these experiences should be happy ones for your toddler. If your toddler resists the activity or becomes frustrated, then change his focus and keep the math activity for another day.
Sorting and classifying is fun for a toddler and will expose him to the concepts of color, shape and size.
Some of these suggestions use small objects, which may present a choking hazard for children under 3 years. All activities should take place under strict adult supervision.
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