Don’t Overlook the Everyday Activities That Teach Kids Essential Math and Science Skills
…And don’t be fooled into thinking ‘simple’ tasks kids love doing aren’t educational
It’s Parent’s Day at a Montessori preschool. Most kids are sitting at a table doing math and science activities using materials in the prepared environment.
The parents are impressed that their young kids are learning sophisticated concepts like volume and liquid measurement, and fluid dynamics from pouring water. The kids are learning number recognition, addition and subtraction, and complex math concepts like sequencing and pattern recognition using number rods. They are learning about volume and mass, spatial awareness and geometry, fractions, and multiplication using math blocks.
The parents are remarking on how incredible the learning process is and how brilliant their kids are.
One little girl is sitting by herself at another table. She’s cutting carrot slices. The teacher perceives that her parents feel dismayed seeing their child is not doing all the ‘brilliant math and science learning’…
— paraphrased from a story a friend related
