Getting Started In Math:
For many parents this is a pain point. Especially with children on the spectrum an or ADHD.
What is really interesting about math is that kids who learn best kinetically, even non verbal kids, pick it up really easily if you do it through them moving their own bodies. The important thing is to remember not to start with sums.
- Numbers are people.
- Numbers are steps.
- Numbers are bounces on a trampoline.
- Numbers are a certain amount of mad yells.
- Numbers are trees.
- Numbers are leaves.
- Numbers are splashes.
You get the idea.
The first thing to do is to really make friends with the concept of how our own bodies and things around us in nature come in different amounts and we begin to measures these amounts by counting. Once you have made friends with the concept of numbers themselves, you can build.
There are three important rules to observe however.
- Do not ask for any feedback from the child. If you do this, the child will shut down.
- Observe the 30 second rule when you begin. Don't do anything new for more than 30 seconds. That way it's over before the child has time to think it's hard.
- Make it funny and interesting. An obvious example is to use farts. These don't have to come from your bottom. You can blow raspberries.
We have found time and again that kids who started this way - even non verbal ones - progressed to higher level math it's all about making friends with the concept first. Have a look at the links below for some good introductory exercises, then later use our higher math exercises.
Below is a short clip of a teacher in the USA using the Kindergarten game Duck, Duck, Goose in an adapted form to learn multiplication tables with a whole class of 5th graders in an inclusive classroom.
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