This past year I have been teaching my four-year-old niece the alphabet and numbers. She just turned five and we are learning how to add the numbers 1-10. I found this Math Addition Machine by Learning Resources and it is a hit! My niece thinks of it as a game, which is great because she is learning addition at the same time!
In this blog I'll share nine simple steps for using this math manipulative when helping your young one with adding. I want to help you be a mom (or dad) boss so you can help your child be the smartest kid on the block!
Check out my video explanation of this math tool and see my two nieces use it!
When preschoolers are learning numbers, it is a great idea to show them the numbers. Rather than just having them say numbers out loud or read the numbers on paper, let them hold objects or point to pictures to count objects. This makes the learning become much more meaningful and concrete. This is especially true if your child is a kinesthetic learner, which means your child learns best by doing hands-on activities. This probably sounds like most preschoolers and it makes sense because they need the concrete objects understand ideas at this point in their development.
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So, to use this math tool, follow these simple steps.
- Find an addition sheet or simply write one up. Use combinations of numbers that add up to ten. (Up to ten balls fit in the holder.)
- The top number can be represented by the green balls and the bottom number can be presented by blue. If you have 3+5=, first you will model by putting 3 green balls and then 5 blue balls in the funnel. Let the balls roll to line up to the magnetic strip where it says 8.
- You can count out loud from 1-3 and say those are three green balls. Then count from 1-5 and say those are five blue balls. Count all of the balls together from 1-8. Finally say, "three plus five equals eight." Have your child repeat the math sentence. Ask your child to write the number 8 on the paper in the answer spot.
- Do a few more together and then allow your child to try on on her own. Saying the math sentence is important for developing math fluency, which is when your child can recall numbers easily.
- Have your child point to each ball as she counts. This is helping to make counting concrete. If you help make counting concrete now, later on, your child will have more ease with memorizing math facts.
- Once you can tell your child has mastered adding 1-10, ask her to create some math problems herself. Let her write out the math problem, use the balls to add, then have her write her answer.
- You can also ask her to write a few problems for you to solve and make math learning fun together.
- To take this to the next level, create word problems for your child to solve. For example, you could say, "For lunch we are going to eat 6 grapes and 4 apple slices. If I wanted to know how many pieces of fruit I am eating all together, how could I find out?" This is, of course, 6+4=10. Have your child identify the numbers in the word problem. Ask, how do you know we are adding? (Answer: because we want to know how many fruit pieces all together.) Then have her use the math manipulative to add up the two numbers, use paper to write out the problem with answer, then say the math sentence out loud. One of the toughest skills in math is when it comes to word problems. You'll definitely be giving your child a head start with this step.
- And bonus step! Ask your child to create a word problem herself! You can solve it to add in some fun together! Ask her to check your work, which is a way of her watching the process, while making sure it is being done correctly. She is becoming the teacher, which helps her master this skill.
