Young children can absorb math ideas through fun activities
Mathematics, in essence, is a study of patterns. Children in head start programs are typically at the preschool level, which is too young to begin traditional math. They are not, however, too young to start learning ways of thinking that are fundamental to mathematics; the identification and extension of patterns in their environment and seeing processes -- that will be called "functions" in higher grades -- as taking inputs and producing output.
Art
Art is a familiar arena for introducing patterns to young children. Preschool rooms are typically stocked with crayons, markers, beads, feathers and other art supplies. Children can use different media to learn to create and extend patterns. For instance, a teacher may begin a beaded necklace with beads arranged in the pattern red-green-green-blue-red-green-green-blue. The child can then be asked to continue the pattern and complete making the necklace. The child can also be asked to look at a drawing and identify patterns.
Music
Music is also a familiar activity in a preschool classroom. Both the words and rhythms of music can be used to communicate mathematical ideas to children. When children are taught songs with a repeated refrain or songs that keep adding a new element in each stanza -- for instance a song like "The Twelve Days of Christmas" -- they can be made aware of the pattern that is being followed. Teachers can give examples of other songs that follow similar patterns. Children can also be asked to clap or sing out different rhythms and notice the patterns they follow.
Movement
A typical preschool classroom therefore incorporates a lot of activities that are based on movement. This arena also provides a lot of opportunity for teachers to incorporate pattern teaching. Children can be asked to recognize and create movement-based patterns. For example, one child can make up a pattern, say hop-hop-skip, and perform in front of the class. The class now has to guess what the pattern is. Small rewards can be given for correct guesses.
Games
Guessing games can easily be adapted to include concepts of input and output providing learning as well as a lot of fun for children. One example of a guessing game to play in class could be an activity where the teacher hands out m&ms to the children. The child asks for a number of m&ms (input) and the teacher gives a certain number (output). The children have to guess what rule the teacher is following.
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