Help your preschooler with math – read math with your child
We’ve already discussed the importance of developing a good math foundation for your preschoolers. The first, easiest, and best way to add math to your child’s early life is to add math to the reading you’re already doing with your child. It’s never too early to start reading to your child, and it’s never too early to add math concepts to that reading.
You don’t need to run out and buy a bunch of preschool math books, although you might mention to friends and family that math-related story books would make a good gift idea. You probably already have math concept books. For example, Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a wonderful story to introduce math concepts. Allows early counting. There are size comparisons with too small, too big and just right. Matches one to one with the baby bear and the little bed. You certainly won’t use this terminology, but as you read you can refer to these concepts. Three blind mice, Three little pigs, Three little kittensand Five little monkeys jumping on the bed are other good examples you may already have.
Before spending a lot of money on books, I suggest checking out your local public library. You can browse books, read them with your child, and if the book seems to be one of those books that your child wants you to read over and over again, THEN you can buy it. Be sure to use your library before buying anything you haven’t read from online sources.
If you are interested in purchasing your own math-related books, I have a few suggestions. I am a big fan of Dr. Seuss books. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb enter large numbers. Ten apples on top! is a good counting book. One fish two fish red fish blue fish it is good for counting and colors. Horton Hears a Who! it even introduces the concept of infinity. Many other Dr. Seuss books contain number, color and shape concepts to read with your child.
You may have read or heard about Baby Einstein. If so, you should know that having your toddler watch the videos is very bad idea! Research shows there should be NO SCREEN TIME for children under two and a very limited time for the older child. Baby Einstein though My first book with numbers is a wonderful example of what a picture book by numbers should be.
The Sesame Street book ABC and 1 2 3 is also an excellent math related picture book.
When considering buying math picture books, there are some things to keep in mind. The book should be colorful, interesting to you and should have meaning – not just rhyme. Don’t assume a book is good because it’s about numbers. For example, I came across a book called One two Three! by Sandra Boyton. I got really confused while reading! One line said “… and when you want to explore, the number you need is FOUR.” WHY? What does four have to do with research? Another page read “Seven is perfect for a play.” Again I asked myself what that even meant. Any book you choose should be something you can talk about with your child. Choose books that you can read with enthusiasm. If a book doesn’t make sense to you, don’t buy it. I want to reiterate that you don’t need to buy a lot of books related to numbers because you can find number concepts like counting and making comparisons in almost any book.
While reading to your child, you need to work on the so-called “language of space.” This applies to words like front, back, top, bottom, over, under, before, behind, first, last, in, on, corner, edge, surface, etc. These are all important concepts that your child needs to understand when they start school. They can’t line up behind the blue line if they don’t know what “behind” means.
When reading to your child, remember to:
- Hold your child on your lap.
- Tell your child how much you enjoy reading together.
- Read every day.
- Join the story. Read with great enthusiasm and expressiveness. Use different voices. Be proactive by pointing things out on pages. Ask questions.
- Pay attention to your child’s answers. Know when to put the book away. If your child loses interest, do something different.
- Be prepared to read the same book over and over again and be enthusiastic each time.
Above all, make reading FUN!
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