1. Look for Patterns: thinking creatively requires a certain mindset so you’ll want to start by looking for patterns in your child’s daily life. Start with shapes, sizes of objects, color patterns in items around the house; include number patterns when possible.
2. Look for a simple idea and follow it as far as you can: for example, how many different ways can you represent your child’s height? Measure your child against a wall or door frame and then, have him stack shoe boxes, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, canned goods, or pillows to the same height. With each measurement, emphasize the differences in the number of items that were used to equal his height. Use compare and contrast strategies to explain the differences. Which items took more (or less) to equal your height? Why? Which were the easiest to stack?
3. Look for puzzles that stimulate the creative thinking process of the brain: uncovering patterns and applying math problems to real life will help your child to become a problem solver and creative thinker. Puzzle books, hand held games, and puzzle games will entertain and educate your child in problem solving skills.
4. Look for Math games: to reinforce computational skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, geometry, and decimals. By making math fun through games, the more likely your child will succeed in problem solving activities in his school work. There are board games and children’s math activity books that can be used to help reinforce the computational skills.
Some advice to parents, you may need to brush up on your own math skills in order to take the lead in getting your child excited about being a “Math Detective” in his/her daily activities. Make the learning fun and exciting. Before long, your little detective will begin to discover patterns on his own and will want to quiz you on the problem solving solutions. Be ready!
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