I can't say that I've ever been very intrigued by tessellations. I needed a good activity to do with pre-school-aged children, though, and tessellations combine patterns and crafts...always a winner with the three to four year old set. As usual, anytime I dismiss something as not-so-interesting, I ultimately discover how mistaken I was. It's great... Continue Reading →
"But you can just use your credit card, Mom." This is the response from the kids every time I tell them we are not buying what they want because it costs too much. This scenario has played out so often that I have realized two things. First, my response isn't really communicating what I mean,... Continue Reading →
It's good to have quick and easy mathy moments at your fingertips for young children. Especially the kind that look like fun games. Today the 5-year-old was being...well...a 5-year-old. He was just home from school and his 8-year-old brother didn't want to play with him. So he lay on the floor and cried. I asked... Continue Reading →
"Pam. We're having a mathy moment over here. You'd better write about it." Thus spoke my husband. And he was right. He and the 5-year-old were spending quality time with the measuring tape. The measuring tape (the kind that a builder uses, that self-retracts) is a brilliant, simple, and effective way to get mathy with your... Continue Reading →
If you have Magna-Tiles hanging around your house, you no doubt have seen a lot of cubes built. Maybe you've even made a few yourself. In my house, these cubes become Hot Wheels garages and airplane hangars. Today they became a spatial reasoning and visualization tool. Take 6 square tiles and lie them down in... Continue Reading →
"Hey, Pam. The 5-year-old says you told him that there is no 15 when you count by 5's." Huh? It was 7:00pm, and the kids were brushing their teeth before bed. This is a time when the most interesting conversations tend to pop up. My husband was assisting the 5-year-old when this one happened. "Show... Continue Reading →
I've said it before. I will say it again. Games and puzzles are really and truly the best way to have mathy moments with your kids. First and foremost, they allow you to spend time with each other. Then there's the math part, which can be sneaky, right? I mean, you and your kid are... Continue Reading →
My children like math, but they dislike trying new foods. So, anytime I can connect math to food, there is the slim possibility of eating...even liking...something new. Pomegranates are not a common food in my kitchen, and I'll admit to being intimidated by them. That seemed good enough reason to buy a couple to see... Continue Reading →
Have you ever asked your child what 2 + 3 is? Or 3 + 4? Or 24 + 63? Maybe you've asked her what 2 x 5 is? Or 4 x 6? Maybe you even have a set of flashcards to organize this whole process. No doubt you know that it's very important to memorize... Continue Reading →
This is a quick and easy math activity for young AND old children...mirror books! Go to your local craft store and buy 2 mirrors. I bought two 12" square mirrors from Michael's. Alternatively, you could get them on Amazon. I recommend beveled mirrors so that they are less likely to crunch and crush against each... Continue Reading →
mathy moments 