Recommended Age: 4-5 years
Level of Parent Involvement: High, this exercise requires the adult to go for a walk around the neighbourhood with the child, the child may also need help totalling the numbers for addition
Prerequisites
- The child must know how to write numbers 0-10
- The child must have had some experience in addition
- The child must be able to count accurately to at least 10, if the child can count up to 20, more letter boxes can be used
Materials
- A pencil
- A small note book
- A bag to carry the note book and pencil
Preparation
- Prior to this exercise, spend some time with the child ensuring they are familiar with the concept of addition through using everyday items in the house hold, for example “if we have 2 forks and 3 spoons, when I put them together I have 5 pieces of cutlery all together”
- Provide the child with many word stories related to addition for example; “We had 5 oranges at home, then we went to the fruit shop and brought 4 apples, now we have 9 pieces of fruit all together”
- Summarise addition word problems by saying at the end “when we start with a small quantity and we end up with a larger quantity we call that addition”
- Introduce the addition symbol to the child by writing it on a piece of paper letting them know “this is the symbol we use for addition”
- Ensure that you have a note book and bag which can be used for this exercise
Steps
- Invite the child letting them know that for this exercise you will need to go for a walk
- Invite the child to get read accordingly (for example jackets and beanie’s, sunscreen and hat)
- Let the child know that they will need a note book and writing pencil, show the child the bag they may put the items in to bring on the walk
- Begin the walk by walking to the net house after yours, noticing with the child the number on the letter box
- Invite the child to write the number on their note book, for example 16
- When the child has written the number 16 on the note pad, let the child know that they are going to use the numbers from the letter box to do some addition
- Show the child how to write the addition equation for example 1 + 6 =
- Continue to the next house repeat as above (note; if the child only has experience in adding to 10, choose the letter boxes according to the child’s ability
- When the child is satisfied with the number of addition equations, you may go to a nearby park or proceed home
- Once at home or at the park, invite the child to collect objects for the addition process, for example if at the park the child may collect sticks or rocks, if at home the child may use blocks, pencils etc
- Look at the first equation with the child, asking them to read it, providing assistance if necessary ( 1 plus 6 equals)
- Show the child how to lay out the equation using the materials (sticks/rocks blocks/pencils) by having 1 item on the left side and 6 items on the right
- Show the child how to push them together then count the total
- The child may write the answer (1+6=7)
- Repeat as above for the rest of the equations written in the note book
Variations
- On another day the same exercise may be done using subtraction
