Math

Continuum Tour: Mathematics

| FunShine Express

Take a Tour of Our Continuum

Our Early Learning and Development Continuum includes nine domains with goals for ages birth to five. Each month these concepts are embedded in new themes and daily lesson plans. Join us as we explore the domains and show you how FunShine curricula will build skills and make learning fun!

Math is a fundamental tool used to describe the world around us. You might not need to solve complex equations daily, but math helps us understand patterns and relationships in everything from the weather to managing money. And that understanding is critical for making sound decisions in our personal and professional lives. Like adults, children use early math skills on a daily basis. This could be during their routine or at play, getting dressed, or going grocery shopping—all of these are great math teaching opportunities!

Mathematical knowledge starts during infancy and undergoes development over the first five years. It is just as natural for young children to think mathematically as it is for them to use language. More advanced skills are based on an early math foundation. You can help your child begin to develop early math skills by introducing the following ideas.

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Charlie’s Cues: Using the Counting Cards

| Chalimar Rios

We are exposed to math concepts from the time we are born and this continues as we grow. We learn how and when to communicate when we are “all done,” and how to ask for more when there is a little bit of food left. Through transitions, we begin to learn the concept of time, and then we continue to learn math concepts through stories, rhymes, and songs. As teachers and caregivers, we also make math part of the children’s day by counting toys when cleaning up, counting the days of the week on the calendar, or when we celebrate birthdays together. Math is everywhere!

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STEAM Series: Mastering M

| FunShine Express

THe m in steam

The M in STEAM stands for Math. Math in STEAM helps little ones learn about patterns, numbers, shapes, sorting rules, and measurements in hands-on and fun ways. Learning about math concepts starts at an early age. You will likely use the sign and word for more early on with your infants. They will learn that this gets them more of a favorite activity or food. For example, after a child eats his last piece of banana, you might say, “Would you like more banana?,” while using the sign for more. The child might start associating the sign with the word and use it to get more banana. Older infants and toddlers will likely learn the concept of two early on also. For example, they understand: I have two hands. I can hold two toys. I have two feet, two arms, two legs, two eyes, and two ears! Wow! Learning basic math concepts at an early age can help children learn about more complex mathematical relationships as they grow older.

Here are 8 easy Math ideas to incorporate into your setting:

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Children and Place: An Intro to Geography

| Teresa Narey

When we think of geography, we tend to imagine maps, globes, and atlases. While these tools are relevant to learning about place, the study of geography involves so much more. For children, geography involves developing a sense of place by learning about the natural environment and understanding their relationship to it. It goes without saying that children are most in touch with the places where they live.

According to research on social studies in early childhood, geographic experiences support children’s social and emotional development by allowing them to foster relationships, use their senses, and make memories. When children are given opportunities to explore a place over time, they begin to understand how places can change and the affect humans have on them. Support children’s geographic explorations with these 7 activities: Continue reading →