Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/encouraging-rich-mathmatical-experiences-at-home/5015151/
Public awareness of the family's role in early literacy has become so pervasive, it's reached cereal box status: our box of toasted O's offers a free picture book inside, and implores us to "Read to your child every day." Though we lack an equivalent national mantra or movement to promote family involvement in math education, the family's contribution can be just as vital, just as unique.Fortunately, families can be valuable partners in their children's math development without rushing out to purchase formal math materials or even the latest educational toys or software. Educational electronics in particular tend to be very good at demanding and extracting discrete skills and factual knowledge from children, but often not so effective at helping them to develop a mathematical structure, or to become flexible, reflective thinkers. To the degree that families see their existing routines and activities as opportunities, and learn to value problem-solving experiences over rote learning, families can play a critical role in laying a strong foundation for formal math learning.
"Children learn through exploring their world; thus, interests and everyday activities are natural vehicles for developing mathematical thinking." (NCTM, p. 73). While shopping, cooking, driving, doing chores, or even waiting in a line, families ...