Math/Numbers/Patterns

Subtraction All Around – You can reinforce the concept of subtraction in two ways. Look for a situation where there is a group of objects and some of them are taken away. Ask your child how many are left. Or, look for a situation where there are two groups of objects and ask him or her how many more objects are in one group than in the other.

Natural Order – Nature creates patterns in plants, animals, and more. Ask your child to look for things in nature that are in groups of three or five. For example, the points on a maple leaf and the parts of an ant’s body are patterns.

Calendar Counting – Give your child a calendar. Ask your child to count how many days are in one week. Encourage him or her to mark off one day each morning. Circle an important day, and ask your child to count how many days there are until that day arrives.

Number Guess – Write a number from 1 to 10 on a piece of paper. Fold the paper in half. Ask your child to guess the number. Give your child a hint after each guess. For instance, “That’s close, but it’s a larger number.” When your child guesses your number, show him or her the piece of paper and switch roles.

Develop Problem Solvers – Have counters handy for your child to figure out computational problems. Use common objects, such as coins, straws, or buttons. Help your child realize that there may be many ways to solve a problem and that some problems have more than one solution. When your child makes a mistake, analyze the approach and information used.