The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) says, “Each day offers us countless opportunities to help children deepen their understanding of math concepts. The more we talk math, the better chance infants and toddlers have to build a positive attitude toward math learning and learning in general.”
So, I am striving to incorporate math concepts into everyday life here with “Chunky Monkey”. Some people would think it’s too early to work with an 18-month old on math concepts, but that’s not true at all. Montessori education and the NAEYC recommend that you begin including math concepts in every day life from infancy. Why waist the incredible time period of 0-3, when children have such absorbent minds?
So, this week I did a DIY flip ring with the numbers 1-10. 
I used a permanent marker to write on some lament counter top samples my husband got from a hardware store. The sample chips and chain came already put together, but you could easily make this with lamenated paper. In fact, I just found one like it recently at a yard sale (from a crafty mom).:-)
My little man was eager to have me tell the “story” of the numbers again and again while he flipped the samples to the next one.
So, I’d call it a success so far – and it only took about 2 minutes to make!
– See more at: http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/music-math-more/math-talk-infants-and-toddlers#sthash.bIKG7DMs.dpuf”
Some ideas for talking about math concepts (from the NAEYC) with young children include:
1. Number and operations—
- “You have two eyes, and so does your bear. Let’s count:–1, 2.”
- “I have more crackers than you do. See, I have 1, 2, 3, and you have 1, 2. I’m going to eat one of mine. Now I have the same as you!”
- “That’s the third time I’ve heard you say mama. You’ve said mama three times!”
2. Shapes and spatial relationships (geometry)—
- “Look, Jason went under the climber and Aliyah is on top!”
- “You’re sitting next to your brother.”
- “Some of the crackers we have today are square, and some are round.”
– See more at: http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/music-math-more/math-talk-infants-and-toddlers
– I also strongly recommend this 8-week online course on Early Preparation of the Mathematical Mind. I took it and learned a lot about how to teach math concepts early. http://ageofmontessori.org/early-math-course-online/
