| Science
Tips for Home:
Every day is filled
with opportunities to learn science. Children can easily be introduced to
the natural world and encouraged to observe what goes on around them.
Together, parents and
children can--
Scientists like
to find patterns and classify natural occurrences. Encourage children
to think about objects according to their size or color--for instance,
rocks, hills, mountains, and planets. Or they can observe leaves or
insects and group the ones that are similar.
The natural world
changes continually. Some objects change rapidly; some at a rate too
slow to observe. Encourage our children to look for changes in things:
What happens
to breakfast cereal when we pour milk on it?
What happens
over time when a plant isn't watered or exposed to proper sunlight?
What changes
can be reversed? Once water is turned into ice cubes, can it be
turned back into water? Yes. But if an apple is cut into slices,
can the slices be changed back into the whole apple?
Even very young
children know that there are many kinds of objects. One thing to do is
help your child explore and investigate a pond. Within and around a
single pond (depending on the size and location of the pond), there
may be tremendous diversity: insects, birds, fish, frogs, turtles,
other water creatures, and maybe some mammals. Looking at a pond is a
great way to learn about the habits, life cycles, and feeding patterns
of different organisms.
--U.S.
Department of Education |
Math
Tips for Home:
Practice
counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s.
Play
games with your child to reinforce number sense. Try Racko by Hasbro.
This game involves putting numbered cards in order from greatest to
least. Yahtzee is perfect for working on multiplication facts and
reinforcing addition skills. There are many fun card and dice games
that utilize math skills.
Brainstorm
a Number: Pick a number and write it in the middle of a piece of
paper. Circle the number and think of as many ways to make that
number as you can. This activity is good for fact families.
Concentration:
Have your child write facts on index cards and answers on index cards.
Turn all cards over and play concentration by matching facts to
answers.
Involve
your child in mathematical situations when they occur in the family
setting: time, money, measurement, cooking, problem solving...
Provide
your child with a calendar to use.
Have
rulers, tape measures, and measuring cups available for your child to
use and explore.
Provide
access to traditional clocks and watches (not just digital) and
discuss time throughout daily activities.
Allow
your child to handle, sort, and count out money.
Provide
your child with a variety of blocks and legos for building.
Observe
and discuss sizes, shapes, and patterns in nature.
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