Your child has progressed from kindergarten to first grade. That’s exciting news! There is so much learning to come their way, especially from their first grade math class.
Math skills and concepts build on each other from grade to grade, which is why children need to get a firm foundation so they can handle the more complex challenges as they progress in school. As children get older they must nurture what they have learned via the best math summer camps, or they are prone to have set backs.
As a concerned parent, you might be wondering what some of these mathematical concepts will be and, more importantly, how you can help your child master them. You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Here, we will give you a breakdown of what to expect from your child’s math class. We’ll also add a few tips on how to help your young learner thrive through it all.
Why Is Math Important?
Math is taught in the classroom, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only place it’s relevant. We use it every day!
From the hexagonal bee combs to the circles, semi-circles, and crescents of the phases of our moon, mathematics is an essential part of the world we live in, and learning it helps us make sense of everything around us.
Did you know that math skills can also be linked to music? Children who play musical instruments use the same part of the brain when doing math. This is why studies have shown that music students do better in mathematics than their non-musical peers.
Helping children develop a love for mathematics generally works well when approached actively as a problem-solving skill rather than a rote memory task. Math helps children thrive in various aspects of their lives.
Important First Grade Math Concepts
Numbers And Counting
At first grade level (and for the next few years in school), learning different numbers and counting will form a significant part of your child’s mathematics lessons.
An effective strategy is to help your child visualize what all these numbers mean. For example, instead of just memorizing the numbers, they can count bears, large dried beans, or even craft sticks.
Addition And Subtraction
In first grade math, your young learner will start adding and subtracting numbers up to 30. They will also solve basic word problems with the help of drawings, objects, and equations.
Addition and subtraction are two math skills that can be demonstrated in everyday life situations. This makes it relatively easy to practice at home!
Sorting And Patterns
Understanding and sorting patterns also forms a part of first grade math.
Continue to allow your young learner to play with fun building blocks and create their own patterns to help them master this skill.
Fractions
As a first-grader, your child will be introduced to fractions as equal shares and basic fractions such as ½, ⅓, and ¼. For children to fully grasp these concepts, it’s essential to keep things intuitive.
Fractions can be tricky for kids to learn, which is why it’s important to use practical and everyday items.
Number Place Values
With all the counting in first grade math, your child will naturally be introduced to the concept of place values. For instance, understanding that in the number 288, the 2 is worth 2 “hundreds” (or 200).
Time
Telling time (both digital and analog) is an important life skill that kids learn from first grade. The concept of elapsed time will also be introduced at this stage.
You can then speak to your child about what it means when the hands move. To make things easier, start by helping them tell time to an hour and half-hour before progressing to quarter-hours.
Helping Your Child With First Grade Math
We’ve already mentioned a few ways in which you can help your first grader with math at home. In addition to the above, playing math games is a fun and easy way to practice math at home!
