Suzanne Cochrane
Financial literacy coordinator
How many of us can say we remember all the math we learned in school?
The truth is, math is everywhere, even though we may not recognize when it isn’t simply numbers, worksheets or textbooks. Math in daily life may seem invisible, but it is present in our world all the time – in the workplace, our homes and our personal lives.
Take another look at your surroundings. Math is used every time you go grocery shopping, bake something, buy something or lose a sock in the dryer.
Math is present when you observe street signs and art, listen to the weather forecast or start a collection of objects. Some of us may say, “I am not good at math,” or “I can’t teach my child math,” but it’s important that we try to rethink math in its foundations.
Chances are you have the skills in observation, prediction, organizing, sorting, cooking and counting. Involving your child in daily life activities teaches them not only life skills but math skills. Do laundry, match socks, make pizza together, grocery shop, measure the snow and talk and point out the shapes you see in buildings, signs or food. Visit an art gallery and look at the patterns, go for a walk and count tree cones or have a race and see who is fastest or slowest.
Count money with your kids and let them spend some money. As caregivers, it’s important to encourage and be responsive to our children’s interests, observations and wonderings, and that’s how we can teach them math. Chances are we may just learn a few things, too.
So the next time you consider what math skills you have and use regularly, remember that math is everywhere!
Family Literacy Week takes place across Canada January 21-28 as a way to celebrate adults and children reading and learning together. Every year Black Press Media community newspapers join with local groups to promote literacy.
