Everyday Math for Kids

Everyday math refers to those skills learned outside a textbook or a classroom. Everyday math is what a child might learn about math while doing common activities such as cooking, playing or working on hobbies. These might be referred to as living skills. For children who are frustrated with school seat work or who learn best by hands-on methods, this is the way to go.

Parents can start early with a preschooler giving him some starter math through at home experiences and through everyday math games which will help prepare him for the classroom and also may help him see the real life applications of math.

Learning about Measuring
You will need a set of plastic measuring cups and a large two-quart plastic measuring bowl. This can be used when helping to cook or as sandbox toys. Let the child pour sand or water or even dry beans or popcorn into the cups. Teach him the terms for the measurements-one third cup, one half cup, one pint, one quart, one gallon. Teach him to read the size markings on the handles or sides of the cups and bowls.

 The following are ways to teach measuring.

• A seamstress measuring tape
• Calendars (Mark numbers and count days in week and month.)
• Weigh things in stores on scales.
• Yardsticks and rulers (Let the child measure and draw lines on large sheets of poster board or freezer paper.)
• Learning Counting

Have the child count washcloths as he folds them. Have him count people for supper and the plates, and silverware as he puts in on the table.  A child learns to count by doing it and by hearing others count. Count out loud when you work.  A child can count any objects. Try some of these.

• Crayons, popsicle sticks, lifesavers
• Nails, screws, bolts, washers
• Buttons on his shirt
• Chairs in each room
• Jumping rope  skips
• Toys
• Moves on board games with dice or a spinner

Sequencing Practice
Another basic math skill is sequencing. The child should learn the order of happenings. He can learn this while you ride in the car. We open the garage door. We get in the car. We pull on our seatbelts. We put the key into ignition. We turn the key.

As you go about daily chores, talk about what should come next. What do we do first when we cook lunch? We get out the food. We peel potatoes. We set a pan on the stove. We turn on the burner.

These three basic math skills can be learned during daily living experiences. Many simple daily events can be used to help reinforce math skills outside the textbook. Learning sequencing helps a child see patterns and learn processes. Measuring and counting are skills every child can build through work and play.