Teaching young children is a great thing; while at times difficult, it is a worth-while task. Thus, how can one teach their young child math? Let's talk about this, focusing on ages 1-5.

Age 1-2

At this age, simply counting out loud together is a great thing to do. Counting out loud is a simple routine, sure, but it can be done in a variety of fun, creative ways. To give some examples:

• You can do movement while counting (while clapping, dancing, marching, etc)
• You can count beyond 10 (to 20, 50, 100, and so on)
• You can count the child's toys (such as books, blocks, and baby dolls)

Essentially, as a parent you can be as creative with counting out loud with your child as you would like. Furthermore, when talking about counting, or about teaching mathematics to your child in general, it's important to mention the importance of establishing a weekly routine. For example, even something as little as five minutes a day every other day can be helpful for your child in learning how to count.

Age 2-3

In addition to counting out loud, counting objects throughout your home can be helpful. For example:

• Counting objects in different rooms such as picture frames, spoons, chairs, and so on
• You can also count body parts: Eyes, ears, toes, and fingers, legs, arms, and bellybuttons

Again, establishing a simple weekly routine where you plan to do a little bit of mathematics each day, or a couple times a week, could be helpful.

Age 3-4

At this age, and even before if you'd like, you can begin writing out the numbers so your child can see them and perhaps even attempt writing them themselves:

• This can be done using paper (with crayons, or paint)
• Also a dry erase board could be used
• A computer program could also work, or a special number app on your phone

Age 4-5

At this age it's really more of the same, only you can begin establishing more poignant goals. For example:

• Perhaps it would be good to learn to count out loud together up to 100
• Or you can aim to learn counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's (up to 100, etc)
• Also, simple addition and subtraction by using manipulatives could be begun

Other Things to Think About

All of the things mentioned thus far are simple for parents to implement as they work toward teaching their young child math. These math routines and suggestions do not require a lot of time, but rather steady dedication, little by little, to where your child can: count out loud, recognize the numbers, perhaps even write the numbers herself, and can do simple addition or subtraction, all by the time that they reach kindergarten.

All of the suggestions above are free, things that you can do at home with no cost. However, it perhaps is important to keep in mind as well that there are a lot of helpful tools out there regarding teaching your child math. For example, you may find math books at your local library. You may find puzzles and flash cards at the store. And there's even math curriculum created for this very purpose, to help you better teach your young child mathematics, perhaps making the process even more simple for you, or more organized.

How can you teach your young child math? Thankfully, during the early years it should be a fairly simple process.