Math is Everywhere...

     As our children go about their daily lives exploring and discovering things around them, they are exposed to the world of mathematics.  And since mathematics has become increasingly important in this technological age, it is even more important for our children to learn math at home, as well as in school.

     Money’s Worth…Coin clues: Ask your child to gather some change in his or her hand without showing what it is.  Start with amounts of 25 cents or less (for first graders, you can start with pennies and nickels).  Ask your child to tell you how much money and how many coins there are.  Guess which coins are being held.  For example, “I have 17 cents and 5 coins. What coins do I have?”  (3 nickels and 2 pennies). 

     Clip and save:  Cut out grocery store coupons and tell how much money is saved with coins.  For example, if you save 20 cents on detergent, say 2 dimes.  Ask your child what could be purchased using the savings from the coupon.  A pack of gum? A pencil? How much money could be saved with 3, 4, 5 coupons?  How could that money be counted out in coins and bills?  What could be purchased with those savings? A pack of notebook paper? A magazine? How much money could be saved with coupons for a week’s worth of groceries?  How would that money be counted out?  What could be purchased with those savings? A book? A movie ticket?  What percentage of the original price is the coupon worth?

     Count the ways: How many ways can you make 10 cents, 25 cents, 30 cents, 40 cents, or 50 cents? You can help your child add the coins in various ways to get different answers.

Parent Pointer! 
     Coin games help children to learn the value of coins.  They also teach counting, addition, subtraction, and multiplication.  Coupons can help teach children money management, as well as subtraction and percentages.  

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MATH…

1.        Problems Can Be Solved in Different Ways.  While some problems in math may have only one solution, there may be many ways to get the right answer.  Learning math is not only finding the correct answer, it’s also a process of solving problems and applying what you have learned to new problems.

2.       Wrong Answers Can Help!  While accuracy is always important, a wrong answer could help you and your child discover what your child may not understand.  The wrong answer tells you to look further, to ask questions, and to see what the wrong answer is saying about the child’s understanding.

·          Sometimes, a child may arrive at the wrong answer to a problem, because the child misunderstands the question being asked.  For example, when children see the problem 4 + ____ = 9, they often respond with an answer of 13.  That is because they think the problem is asking, “What is 4 + 9?” instead of “4 plus what missing number equals 9?” 

·          Ask your child to explain how a math problem was solved.  The explanation might help you discover if your child needs help with the procedures; the number skills, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; or the concepts involved.

·          Help your children be risk takers.  Help them see the value of trying to do a problem even it is difficult for them.  Give your child time to explore the different approaches to solving a problem.  Your child’s way might differ from yours, but if the answer is correct and the strategy or way of solving it has worked, it may be a great alternative.  By encouraging children to talk about what they are thinking, we help them to have stronger math skills and become independent thinkers.

3.      Doing Math in Your Head Is Important.  Have you ever noticed that today very few people take their pencil and paper out to solve problems in the grocery store, restaurant, department store, or in the office?  Instead, most people estimate in their heads, or use calculators or computers.  Using calculators and computers demands that people put in the correct information and that they know if the answers are reasonable.  Usually people look at the answer to determine if it makes sense, applying the math in their heads (mental math) to the problem.  This, then, is the reason mental math is so important to our children as they enter the 21^st century.  Using mental math can make children become stronger in everyday math skills.