How to Make Learning Numbers Fun for Your Child

Learning numbers and math concepts of addition, subtraction are tagged as a “boring” task. Many parents would recollect their childhood days when they used to run away from math. But math is not just about big numbers and multiplications, divisions etc. but at the foundation level it is all about recognizing numbers and counting. Children run away from studying math when they do not understand it, hence conceptual understanding is very important for them to enjoy numbers. Numeracy skills are an important aspect of a child’s learning and development. Number activities for pre schools in Hyderabad and play school in Patna can be made fun and engaging in lots of ways, without restricting them to just worksheets.

Use audio-visual tools

Some kids are visual learners and prefer to learn from flashcards while others may respond better to songs and videos. There are numerous counting CDs and videos available on the internet which parents can choose from to teach kids about numbers. Parents can search for The Count’s ‘Number of the day’ videos by Sesame Street or Elmo’s video about Hisaab on www.galligallisimsim.com, which can help young children recognize numbers.

Games

There are many board games which help kids count, like the old-time favorites Ludo and Snakes & Ladders. In today’s time when kids are hooked on to smart phones, a game-based learning approach can be adopted by parents to teach kids about numbers. Sesame Workshop has developed many numeracy oriented games like Anko Ki Khoj, Sikke Ki Yatra, All About Numbers and many more. Sesame Street Preschool use games like “Hop and Spot” that reiterate counting and number recognition skills among children. he grid game can be used at an advanced level for teaching skip counting, addition, and subtraction to children.

Financially empowering kids

Money lessons should ideally start at the preschool age where child care providers try to instill the habit and attitude of managing money. Sesame Street pre primary schools in Pune and best school in Udaipur engages kids in different activities to expose them to finance management, like Travel-o-Matic which is a floor game where children learn to count coins, exchange and spend play money for travelling to various exotic locations. The Health Café at Sesame Street Preschool also exposes children to financial concepts like counting play money, using the cash register, buying and selling etc. 

Include numbers in daily observations

For the young learners, you can make numbers a part of the daily observations. When you go out to the park to play with your little one, ask him to count the number of swings or kids or trees in the park. Play hide and seek with kids while they count till 20 or any other number that they know counting till. While driving your child to school ask him to count the number of black cars on the way or ask him to speak out the number plate of the vehicle parked in front of your car at the traffic signal. While dialing phone numbers on your phone ask your child to dial them for you, in this way the child starts recognizing numbers. 

Learning how to count can be a lot of fun for a child.  It’s upon the parents and educators how they make it engaging and interesting. Simple daily tasks can make numbers fun for your little one. Do remember that each child learns at his own pace. Hence, don’t hurry them to rote learn numbers or alphabets. Allow your child to explore the world of numbers at their own speed.