Many people joke about needing to use their fingers to count, but the skill of counting is an essential part of the learning process for elementary students. If young children do not start counting correctly at an early age, they might require more help with math later on. Counting is crucial for the development of mathematics throughout a person’s life. It is no joke that practicing counting with elementary students is as important as letting them play with building blocks.
Not only is counting a foundation on which to build greater math skills, it is also a valuable tool children can use to explore and interact with other facets of life. They are curious about the world they live in, but lack the facilities to make accurate assessments of it. Quantifying items is an easy way for children to begin creating connections with the world and all it has to offer. Typically, “how big something is” or “how many of something that is” are questions children are already verbalizing by the time they are three. Most adults who are around children have heard the questions “How many days are in a week?” “How long until we get there?” and “How many is a dozen?” As we grow up, this concept never wholly leaves us–adults question quantities as often as children do, but in a more sophisticated manner.
Counting is a global skill; every child learns it, regardless of their culture, though where someone grows up can have a major impact on how and what they learn to count initially. There is also a universal question that every child seems to have: “How many?” Learning to count can help children answer many of the questions they have as they mature.
Children need a good foundation at elementary education level. At this stage of their lives, they will be using their counting skills to solve several problems and understand numerous concepts otherwise foreign to them without the ability to count. Counting is vital for solving problems that call for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing certain amounts. Additionally, this early development propels children to understand the base-ten structure of the number system.
From all of this, there is one question you need to ask yourself. Is your child on pace for math success? If they are not, or if you feel they might need some extra math help, math tutoring can be a great way to give your child the edge they need for success later in life. Mathnasium is a math tutoring center that reaches K-12 children to build upon the foundations set at an early age. Our Math instructors can take these early skills of counting and help hone them into something greater. Make sure you are giving your child the building blocks they need for success. Keep them counting at an early age, and then explore the option of math tutoring to take their skills to the next level. Call us today at (480) 782 – 7987 to discuss how we can help your child with Math!
