Creative Early Learning Math

Creative Early Learning Math with Manipulatives

Math happens to be a subject my daughter loves.  Since she was one, she's been counting objects and asking about shapes.  It's pretty easy early on for kids to learn the basics because there are a bombardment of toys, puzzles, and books covering basic math concepts such as numbers 1-10 and shapes.   But what comes next?  Not all parents are familiar with the difference between rote counting and  rational counting or are familiar with the vocabulary terms used by teachers such as math manipulatives.  This post will cover some vocabulary terms used in education, how to use as manipulatives, and what can be used as manipulatives.  When I discuss a state standard, that means they should know this information by the end of the school year for that grade.  I am also discussing the standards for our state which is unfortunately ranked 48th in the nation for education.  The k12 online virtual school curriculum is about a semester ahead of our state.  Search for your state's department of education webpage, find standards, and select your child's grade level or subject.  For math apps look at my previous post on how to use apps and video games to reinforce learning.  If you like saving money check back over the next few days for my DIY manipulatives.

Defining Vocabulary

Rote Counting- Counting through the practice of speaking the subject matter repeatedly.  In other words, when you practice counting with your child simply by saying "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10."  In the state of Arizona Kindergarteners are expected to be able to rote count to the number 100 by ones and tens. First Graders should be able rote count to 120 by ones, twos, fives, and tens.  They should be able to rote count forward from any number. For example, if you say "18" then child says "19, 20, 21..."

Rational Counting- Counting objects with a number representing an amount.  For example, if there are seven frogs the child touches each frog giving it a number if 1-7.  In the state of Arizona Kindergarteners are required to count rational count to 20, first graders to 120.

Skip Counting-  When I was a kid we were just asked to count by twos, fives, or whatever number.  These day it is commonly called skip counting.  For example, a teacher might ask can you skip count by fives to 50.  Which would sound like 5, 10, 15, 20, 25....  As mentioned above, Kindergarteners should be able to skip count by tens and First Graders by twos, fives, and tens.

Manipulatives- The description is somewhat implied in the root of the word. Objects that can be manipulated to represent and explore mathematical equations and concepts.  Common math manipulatives in the early education classroom would be counting beads, those little cubes that are used to teach place values,   three dimensional shapes, paper clips used for measuring, ect.  There are many great store bought products that are packaged specifically as manipulatives.  While some of these products are very original and well worth the expense, you can also you items from your local dollar tree or household items.

Creative Learning with Math Manipulatives

The best math manipulatives may already be in your house.  Does your son have every super hero action figure?  Does your daughter aim to collect every Squinkie or Zooble?  When it comes to manipulatives for rational counting, skip counting, measuring, addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division use the toys or household objects they already love.  I feel the need to say if your child is at a developmental level where they still explore the world by putting objects in their mouth, avoid any objects that are choking hazards.

Here is a list of common things you could use as manipulatives:

candy pieces- chocolate chips, sprinkles, Reese's pieces, M&M's, ect
snack food- goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, yogurt drops
craft supplies-  pom poms, rhinestones, sequins, beads, stickers, fake flowers
play jewelry- rings, bracelets, necklaces, hair bows
toys- stuffed animals, baby dolls, Barbie Dolls, trains, cars, action figures, character figures, blocks, legos, balls, tools, puzzle pieces, animals, bugs, play food, pretend place settings, board game pieces, nesting cups
household- paperclips, clothespins, band aids, cotton balls, qtips, rubber bands, small 2-3 oz paper cups,

How to Use Manipulatives 

A recent "game" I came up with for Aly is an addition subtraction lesson.

My materials are:

white board about 12x15 (substitute chalk board or paper on a flat surface)
white erase markers  (substitute chalk, or numbers from puzzle, or magnetic fridge numbers)
 manipulatives- I use a collection of about 40 small bugs, reptiles, and creepy crawlies we have collected from various places but mostly the local Dollar Tree

Directions:

1) Sitting on the couch with Aly next to me, I put the white board across our laps centered more towards her. I place the box on the side of me opposite my daughter where she can't reach.

2) I ask, "How many bugs are on the board?"
Aly: zero
Mom: That's right.  I'm adding one bug to zero bugs.

3) I write the equation while slowly talking through the equation like a word problem.
Mom: One bug plus zero bugs equals how many bugs?
I write:  1+0=

4) Wait for her to answer.  Validate the correct answer or effort.  I write the answer to the equation and repeat, "That's right. 1+0=1.  Can you say that?"

5) I add bugs for equations up to 6 with the highest equation being 1+5=6.  Then do the same with subtraction until there are no bugs.

6) Then I erase all the equations and repeat the activity until we are through the whole box of creepy crawlies.

If your child is writing well have them write the equations on the board.  Once they can quickly recite their addition and subtraction facts within number 1-6, increase to 10.

Other Ways to Use Manipulatives

1) Measuring objects- measure how many paper clips (substitute any small manipulative) long their baby doll and other toys or books are.  Which book is the longest? Which doll is the tallest?

2) Place Values- use legos to represent ones, tens, and even hundreds for older children.

3) Word Problems- If Mom has 3 cookies and Aly has two cookies, how many cookies are on the table?

4) Geometry- How many popsicle sticks do you need to make a square? Triangle? Pentagon?

5) Comparing values- greater than less than, most and least...Which paper plate has more beans? Least?

6) Patterns- red bead, striped bead, heart bead, red bead striped bead heart bead... What comes next?