Math literacy: Why kids need it now more than ever

How important will math skills be during the 21st Century? "Mathematics Equals Opportunity," a report published by the U.S. Department of Education, gets right to the point: "Students with a strong grasp of mathematics have an advantage in academics and in the job market."

Many professions that once required little background in math now call for specific skills in algebra, geometry, measurement, probability and statistics. For example, an entry-level auto mechanic needs to be able to apply algebraic formulas and physics to properly wire the electrical circuits of a car. Other careers/jobs that require a strong knowledge of math, just to name a few, include medical assistants*, physical therapists*, computer systems analysts*, roofers, photographers and dental hygienists (*according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are among the fastest-growing and highest-paying fields).

In response to this, the New York State Board of Regents has not only stiffened graduation requirements in math, but has raised the standards on what must be taught all the way back into the elementary years.

At the elementary level, the goal is to get young children off to a solid mathematical start by helping them understand how they use math in their everyday activities. In the process, they are introduced to sophisticated math concepts at a very early age.

For example:

• Kindergartners might sort blocks by color, size and shape, while others learn about item prices in the classroom grocery store.
   

• First graders might create graphs to compare the letters in their names with those of classmates.
   

• Second graders might learn about three-dimensional shapes and the lines they are made of by creating the shapes with straws and twist ties.
   

• Third graders might learn how to estimate by guessing how many M&Ms they will find when they open a bag of the candies.
   

• Fourth and fifth graders might learn about percentages and placing value by computing baseball averages of players on their favorite ball teams. [top]

In the elementary years, parents are key to helping children become familiar with mathematical ideas and activities as they relate to the world outside of school. Educators say that students whose families are involved in their school work are more likely to pursue challenging math courses later on.

Here are some activities that you can do with your child that will boost his or her math skills:

• Count the number of steps needed to walk from the sidewalk to the front door or from the first to the second floor of your home. Try to walk the same distance with fewer or more steps.
   

• Count and pair objects around the house (laundry sorting is great for finding pairs).
   

• Make a game out of doubling, tripling or quadrupling small numbers (try this with larger numbers to challenge older children).
   

• Using everyday objects as counters (buttons, coins, peanuts, blocks); make up your own addition and subtraction problems (i.e., The bird laid three eggs [put down three counters]. Then she laid another three [add the additional three counters]. How many eggs has she laid altogether?)
   

• Grocery shopping lends itself beautifully to all sorts of math activities. When you are shopping, enlist your child’s help in finding objects (We have one can of tuna at home. We need five all together. How many more do we need to buy?) Have your older children become price sleuths (I have $20 to spend. We need the following items. Will I have enough money to get everything on our list?)
   

• Empty your change purse or grab a handful of coins from the coin jar. Children can sort them by type, count the number of each type of coin, calculate the value of each pile of coins and determine the total value of all the coins.
   

• Measure objects around the home using conventional tools (ruler, tape measure, yard stick) and non-conventional ones (Goldfish crackers, hands and feet, pencils - i.e., Kevin is XX hands tall; the table is XX Goldfish crackers long).
   

• Cooking is a great way to learn about measuring. Gobble Up Math: Fun Activities to Complete and Eat for Kids in Grades K-3 by Sue Mogard and The Math Chef: Over 60 Math Activities and Recipes for Kids by Joan D’Amico are two books to look to for math-in-the-kitchen inspiration.
   

• Math can be combined with eating. Pizza goes from a circular whole to two equal halves, quarters, eighths, even sixteenths. Using a handful of edible counters such as M&Ms or Skittles, have children sort them in half, into four equal piles or quarters, etc.
   

• Go on a shape scavenger hunt. Find conventional and non-conventional shapes around the house. Car rides are a great time to find all sorts of shapes in road signs, store windows and around the neighborhood. A walk in nature can yield surprising shapes (ladybugs are round and symmetrical, a tree trunk can be seen as both a two-dimensional rectangle and a column).
   

• Have children use household objects (toothpicks stuck into marshmallows, straws, pipe cleaners or twist ties) to construct different shapes.

Math resources for parents

Here are some books, magazines and other resources that provide ideas for fun and easy math activities you can do with your children. They are available from local libraries and bookstores.

• Math Start Series by Stuart Murphy – These books include stories about a variety of math concepts and include ideas for at-home math activities
   

• The Math Book for Girls and Other Beings Who Count by Valerie Wyatt – Fun activities and explanations of practical ways math is applied in everyday life
   

• Hands-On Math Around the Year (kindergarten and up) by Jacqueline Clarke
   

• 50 Fabulous Measurement Activities (kindergarten and up) by Martin Lee and Marcia Miller
   

• Family Fun magazine and website: http://www.familyfun.com
   

• Easy MathART Projects and Activities (kindergarten and up) by Cecilia Dinio-Durkin
   

• Family Math for Young Children by Jean K. Stenmark – This guide includes ideas for games, problem-solving, experimenting and other math discovery for parents and children [top]