Teaching Little Fingers New Math Tricks

Teaching Little Fingers New Math Tricks

This article describes a method for teaching math that was developed by coaches at Erikson Institute. Erikson is a graduate school and research institute that focuses on early-childhood education. The coaches from Erikson have been sharing the math teaching techniques with 60 to 80 preschool and kindergarten-level Chicago Public School teachers since 2007. In September, the program will expand to include all preschool through third-grade teachers at eight public schools. The lesson discussed in this article describes the children’s ability to compare and predict size. These are skills that researchers from Erikson say provide a foundation for success in elementary math but are often neglected in preschool. One preschool teacher describes the lessons as valuable because they are hands-on and they emphasize concrete problem solving skills. Having a hands-on math lesson is very important. It is more meaningful to the students, they enjoy doing hands-on activities, and it creates learning that is more motivating. I have witnessed first hand what hands-on learning does for small children. To me, hands-on activities, in any subject, is the best approach to learning. The article also states that the lesson emphasizes concrete problem solving. This is very valuable to all students, especially to preschool age children. If you try to teach a child an abstract concept, they aren't going to understand it. Teaching children concrete problem solving skills will help them develop necessary skills that can be incorporated in all subject areas.