Math Monster

Aly is learning to fluently add and subtract so I have been doing a lot of new lessons. I found this great website with free math games perfect for her at the age of three.  The website is fun4thebrain.com  It has a particular game she likes called Murb.  Murb is a world of monsters and we LOVE monsters in our house! You walk one monster into a diner. In the diner there are five different monsters. Each monster has a different job. One monster opens cans in the kitchen while another cleans up messes in the dining area.  They give an addition or subtraction equation based on which option you select.  Then you have to find the can, mess, dining patron, ect. that has the right answer for the monsters to do their job.
http://www.fun4thebrain.com/murb/murb.html

I always reinforce media learning with another non-media activity.  When we were done playing we got out the white board.  I would draw a monster with body parts based on the answer to an equation.  For example, yesterday we were working on our 1's addition table.

 I would write out 1+1=
Then tell Aly, "I'm going to draw 1+1 noses. How many noses will the monster have?
That's right, 1+1= 2 noses.

Repeat

"I'm going to draw 1+2 eyes. How many eyes will the monster have?"

1+3 arms
1+4 fingers
1+5 legs
1+6 hairs on his head
1+7 freckles on his face
1+8 teeth in his mouth

Be creative!

Aly is excellent at pattern recognition. Write out the equations neatly in a column and identify the pattern half of the way.  Have your child finish the pattern.

1+1=2
1+2=3
1+3=4
1+4=

Point out the relationship between the second number and the last number.  Show them the answers are ascending in order, 2,3,4, ect.  Have them repeat the whole equation when they say the answer. Initially they are just following the pattern, but by repeating the equation the are learning rote addition.

If your child is ready for more advanced math try an app for free called Sushi Monster.  Sushi Monster teaches decomposing numbers which is a kinder standard in our state of Arizona. Note decomposing number up to ten is the kinder standard and this game goes up to 20 at the easiest level.

Decomposing number means if you give a child a number than can tell you the different equations that equal that number. For example:

If you say 5

They know...

5+0
4+1
3+2
2+3
1+4
0+5

all add up to 5.

If you have  a little math monster like me tell me what games and activities you like in the comment section.