Explore, think creatively, investigate, solve problems...learn math!
Math crops up in everyday activities in so many ways. You can help preschoolers see math in the petals of a flower, the shape of a window, the bounce of a ball, the growth of a plant, and the repetition of a song. Instead of teaching math to preschoolers, you can be their guide as they experiment, think about problems, try solutions, and gain understanding. They don't need to be told how to do math; they need time and encouragement to investigate, think, experiment, and discuss their findings.
Creative Investigations in Early Math gives teachers practical ideas for intentionally fostering young children's hands-on explorations in the following areas:
- Number and number sense
- Computation
- Geometry and spatial sense
- Measurement
- Data collection and statistics
- Patterns and relationships
As children play and cooperate, they can explore math together, discuss their thinking, and refine their understanding. With your guidance, preschoolers can figure out how the world of mathematics works and how math works in their world.
