Teachers can use the following strategies to help families to develop their children’s mathematical understanding:
Communicate to families
the broader aspects of developing number sense; for example, using counting in real-life situations, comparing numbers and discussing which is more or less, making estimations (e.g., How many grapes are in this bowl?), and solving simple addition and subtraction problems.
what classification and patterning are about and how they contribute to children’s understanding of mathematics.
the importance of early measuring experiences and types of measurement experiences they can do with children.
that mathematical reasoning is being able to think mathematically and explore different ways of solving problems
Remind parents that daily use of numbers (which are everywhere!) can become learning experiences for children.
Provide number-related games and books that children can take home or that families can make or purchase.
Encourage parents to
involve children in everyday measurement experiences
refer to shapes in the environment when talking with children
use spatial words in everyday interactions with children
recognize math in everyday events and interactions and turn them into learning experiences[1]
Figure 9.14: Cooking and baking are excellent opportunities to explore math with children.[2]