Early Math Project

In the first months of life, babies’ minds develop rapidly. They actively explore, make connections, figure out what they can do, communicate their pleasure or discontent, and are extremely engaged using their senses to understand people, relationships, objects, and their environment. 

 

The natural curiosity of infants and toddlers coupled with a desire to learn and eagerness to solve problems make it easy for parents, family, and caregivers to promote early learning. 

 

One of the powerful ways that babies and toddlers learn is by imitating others. Parents and caregivers can support a children’s success with math by modeling an appreciation for math and incorporating math in the child’s daily routine. By making mathematics a regular part of daily activities, children see how mathematical knowledge is connected to the real world.

 

Parents and caregivers should reinforce the message that everyone has great potential to be successful with math and that our minds and knowledge improve with effort and practice. Everybody’s ability can and does grow with persistence, practice, and exposure – scientific research supports this! 

 

Parents and caregivers can foster deep understanding by allowing time for exploration and problem solving. Keep in mind that the mistakes young children make are a very important part of the learning process and actually support brain growth. New synapses are created in the brain each time a child identifies what went wrong. 

 

As parents and caregivers, we can promote our budding mathematicians by giving them time and opportunity to appreciate math. Young children have a surprising capacity to learn mathematical concepts and ideas.