SECRETS of EARLY MATH SUCCESS! | Video 1 | Don't Start With Simple Counting!
Early Math Success Secret – Counting to 5 or 10 isn't the best place to start a child learning math. VIDEO 1 explains why, where to start instead, and why it matters a lot!
Early Math Success Secret – Spending too much time on simple counting (rote counting) can actually CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH MATH. It can result in a child thinking numbers simply give a name (e.g., "one," "two," "three," etc.) to an item based on the order in which the item was counted. If this is a child's exclusive view of numbers, they will not be able to understand mathematics. (See VIDEO 1!)
Early Math Success Secret – Instead of starting with simple counting, START WITH SOMETHING CALLED "SUBITIZING." What's subitizing? When we subitize, we recognize the size of small groups without counting. VIDEO 1 – Explains why starting a child learning math with subitizing matters a lot!
Early Math Success Secret – Inherent in being able to subitize is understanding the idea of a GROUP and that numbers tell us "how many of something are in a GROUP." This is the view of numbers needed to understand mathematics (i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) (See VIDEO 1!)
Early Math Success Secret – Many Counting Books & Videos can reinforce problems with mathematics if we don't establish the math foundation needed first. So, before you read your child another counting book or have your child watch another "Learn to Count," "Count to 10," or "I Can Count" video, please watch 10 SECRETS of EARLY MATH SUCCESS Video 1 (and Video 2, 3 & 4) to build the needed foundation. You'll never look at a counting book the same again! Links to the first three videos are on the Home Page (Video 4 is under development), and below.
Video 1 - Don't Start MATH With Simple Counting. Please Don't!
Video 2 - At First Don't Count, Subitize! Here's How
Video 3 - Subitize to 4 Before Learning To Count!
More will follow...
Please share any questions, comments, ideas below or email me via the "Contact" page.
Enjoy!
Dr. Marty Epstein (PhD Math Ed)