Jump to content

Menu

Which solution better suits a 3yo?


Kjirstyn
 Share

Recommended Posts

First time homeschooler here, so while I can see this isn't a big deal, I'm just unsure of what the best reaction is...

 

My 3yo is doing a preschool curriculum that we really enjoy. I really don't feel that "doing" preschool is all that important, really, but we were kind of pulled into it by the kid himself, who seemed to need more challenge for his brain. He does enjoy it, and we've picked an all-in-one option that helps me not fret about missing some of the bases.  :-D  

 

However. He just does not grasp numbers. I'm not worried about this developmentally, and to set against his math status he is fabulous about letter sounds and colors. But what I'm wondering is: should I continue kind of gently tugging him through what the curriculum presents on the premise that repeated exposure will eventually have an effect, or should I set aside the math for now and maybe pull out more number manipulatives and work on those with him?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would set aside the math curriculum for now.  I would, however, make sure that he was still surrounded by day to day math: playing with pattern blocks, counting things while reading story books, comparing quantities, playing simple board games, practicing one-to-one correspondence by parking one toy car in each parking space, playing with measuring cups in the bathtub, etc.

 

Then, and I think this is equally important, when you decide to try a math curriculum again, I would reassess where he is and not insist on picking up where you left off.  I often find my young kids develop in fits and spurts, and that if they struggle with lesson 20 and we set it aside for a couple months, when we pick the curriculum back up, lesson 20 is often now too easy and boring.

 

Wendy

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Set it aside. Do the manipulatives. Or maybe even slow the math portion down. You could back up to wherever you need to go for him to understand. Then move forward in the lesson until he starts to get onto shaky ground. Immediately grab something he is good at to finish up and call it a day on the math. Next day go back to the concept right before he got shaky and move slowly forward again, repeat, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Set it aside. Exchange it for toys. (This is really what manipulatives are, anyway, when used with a math-positive attitude!) And games. Trucky3, CandyLand, Chutes & Ladders, and Feed the Kitty are fun ones for this age.

 

At this age, I would very much regret skipping over what I consider the ideal math curriculum, however, tested by time and able to lodge itself permanently into a person's memory: songs and nursery rhymes. One, two, buckle my shoe. The three little kittens lost their mittens. Five little monkeys jumping on the bed. Five little ducks went out one day. If you have any little toys or puppets that can act these out dramatically, all the better.

 

Repeated exposure absolutely does have an effect, but the effect isn't always positive. (In this case, is the repeated exposure going to make you both frustrated, resentful, bored, negative toward math/school, etc. before it helps him understand and enjoy working with numbers?)

Edited by fralala
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Put the curriculum away. Instead, play and live daily life - that's how young kids develop number sense and spatial sense.

Sort things. Collect like items. 

Arrange objects in patterns.

Craft - fold paper, color patterns.

board games are great for counting. For example Chutes and ladders

Dice and card games too, but he may be too little yet.

Count items in daily tasks: count out plates when you set the table, pair socks, count stairs, divide cookies for snacks. Count while shopping (we need five apples - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). 

that sort of thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My current 3 yo has no interest in numbers and letters and can't recognize any (at least as far as I know).  She's not really into counting, either, although I think she's gotten up to 3 down most days.  But she LOVES playing with math manipulatives when big brother does.  Counting bears and c-rods are her favorites, and it's amazing how many mathematical concepts she plays with without having any sense of "number" to go with them.  She's constantly comparing color/size, arranging patterns/pictures, filling in c-rod "trains" with the correct missing pieces.  I mostly just let her free play, but if the moment is right, I might set up a pattern to copy or a c-rod train to finish or a set of c-rods to "race".  I don't talk about numbers at all - because that frustrates her - but she's still absorbing and manipulating the concepts.

 

Whenever things click in her brain with regard to symbol recognition, I just know I'm going to be amazed at the amount of information already stored up there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...