Congruent
DECEMBER 19, 2007: LESSON #5: COUNTING AND TALLY MARKS!
Children begin learning "Number Sense", or their sense of how numbers are related and interract at a very young age.
So...let's give you all some ideas to try at home to boost number sense at a young age!
Parents usually begin early by counting with their children. This is a crucial introduction to numbers! BUT, parents may need to modify their approach! Here are some ideas:
- When you count, don't stop at the traditional "milestones", for example 10, 20 or 100. Usually, parents say, "Let's count to 10!" The problem is that children can have a hard time knowing what follows 10! So, instead, count to other numbers. For example, "Let's count to 14!"
- Similarly, early elementary children have a hard time knowing what follows 100. Often times, they say 97, 98, 99, 100, 200, 300. Therefore, with that age group, count from 85 to 106, they will be better off!
- With elementary kids of all ages, play the Munchkin Math game "Number Hugs". For example, 7 and 9 hug what number? 8! 16 and 18 hug what number? 17! For older kids, 1,999 and 2,001 hug what number? 2,000!
- Once children have a basic understanding of counting, begin skip counting, or counting by multiples of 2!
- Then, counting by multiples of 5 is a large milestone, because it is the basis for our tally mark system and for counting on a clock! Teach children how to write tally marks (see our chant below to help). Consider having a tally mark sheet next to their bed. Each time they make it, they get a tally mark. Together, you can count by fives on the tally mark sheet to see how many successful days your child has ha making their bed! This is a great way to positively reinforce both behavior and counting by fives!
- Count by 5's and 10's often with early elementary children! In the car, see how far up you can count by 5's before the light turns green! Or, on the way to bed, each step can be a different number you say as you climb the stairs (10, 20, 30, 40...).
Tally marks are:
4 LINES STRAIGHT AND TALL!
THE 5TH LINE IS DIAGONAL!
To remember Multiples and Factors:
WHOLE NUMBER MULTIPLES MULTIPLY UP, UP, UP!
FACTORS, BREAK IT DOWN! FACTORS, BREAK IT DOWN!
Remember, moms and dads, the more time you can spend instilling a great understanding of numbers, "number sense" at a young age, the better off your son or daughter will be!
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