Math for the Little Guys

Today we're going somewhere we've never gone before.  We're going to the Math world.  For some it's a dark and scary place.  A place that reminds you of tears and frustration.  For others it's a world that just makes sense.  Well, today we're going to make lots of cents (pun intended...however lame it might be).

What you're going to need today is lots and lots and lots of change.

The first activity is simple.  Just begin sorting the change.  Little Man had a blast with this.  He is interested in all things money.  He always wants to hold the change from purchases in his pocket, and has a nice stash of cash in his piggy bank.  I'm thinking about askin' him for a loan.  I bet the little booger would charge interest.  Scratch that.  I may just start keeping my own change.  He gets enough from his Mimi and Great-Grandpa.  They always fill his pocket with dollar bills when we get to see them. 

Back to the activity.  Show your child the differences in each coin.  The biggest struggle for little kids is the difference the nickel and quarter.  Their size is somewhat deceiving to little eyes.  Have your child look closely at each one and investigate their similarities and differences. 

After you're finished comparing the coins, help your child start the sorting process.  Pennies here, nickels over there, dimes right here, and quarters over here...

Let your child sort the stash.  Resist the urge to immediately correct them when they make a mistake.  It's hard.  Especially for us perfectionist who like 'everything in it's place'.  Instead wait a little while and have a 'check it out' time.  This is a time to stop and review your work thus far.  This is a great skill for your child to learn.  Have your child look at every pile.  If they have a mistake draw their attention to that pile, but do NOT point it out for them.  Let them look.  You can ask questions like, "Do all the coins look the same in this pile?"  If they don't find their mistake, then draw their attention to it by asking, "Does this coin (a coin in the right group) look the same as this coin (a coin in the wrong group)?"  If they still do not recognize their mistake, your child will need a reteaching lesson in the differences of the coins.

'Check it out' time is a super important skill for your child to learn.  If you teach your child to take the time to check their work now, their future teachers will love you!  In elementary school, I would have students plow through their work, and they never once stopped to evaluate what they had completed.  Teaching this skill at a young age turns helps build good habits to ensure future success. 

The second activity I'll share tomorrow.  It involves Number Sense.  Exciting stuff people!

Now if you're wondering where all my change came from, I'll fill you in on my get rich quick scheme.  Steven and I have been married for almost 8 years.  Since we've been married, I've had a jar that hangs out in the laundry room.  Anytime I find loose change, I throw it in there.  We use that change for the coveted 1/2 off Sonic drinks in the summer, car wash money, etc.  We also keep it in there to collect.  Well, after nearly 8 years, I'm cashing it in and starting from scratch.  There you have it.  My get rich quick scheme.  That's if you count 8 years quick.  Anyone want to take a guess on how much my jar amounted to?  Well, I'll tell you...tomorrow!