How To Teach Fractions to Preschool and Kindergarten Students
Like all areas of math, fraction ideas should be communicated to younger youngsters with developmentally applicable palms on experiences and loads of play actions. Concrete objects like sample blocks and 3D fraction shapes allow children to make sense of recent math ideas or summary concepts. Kids have to have fraction experiences that:
- incorporate their senses
- invite them to experiment and make observations
- allow them to study at their very own fee, and
- enable them time to analyze a subject additional
It will be important that preschool and kindergarten math classes supply alternatives for younger youngsters to develop fraction quantity sense. Earlier than youngsters are capable of carry out operations (including, subtracting…) with fractions, they require numerous time for fraction video games and play. It will assist them visualize fractions and perceive that fraction segments are equal components of a bigger object, expertise vital for extra superior fraction ideas. It’s not vital to show symbols for fractions (1/2, 1/3…) in preschool or kindergarten.
Younger youngsters are working in direction of the next, expertise which are vital for extra superior fraction ideas in future grades:
- with the ability to visualize fractions and
- understanding that fraction segments are equal components of a bigger object,
Introduce fractions with cooking, tales, and video games
Cooking actions introduce youngsters to the language of fractions and assist them hyperlink fractions to their on a regular basis experiences. As they participate in these actions, youngsters turn out to be accustomed to fraction phrases similar to complete, half, half, third, quarters. For instance – Lower the muffin in half, fill the cup half full, let’s use a part of the entire orange, put peanut butter on one half of the bread and jam on the opposite half of the bread, minimize the sandwich in quarters…
Use fraction math manipulatives and toys with puppets to make up easy tales
Here’s a pattern circle time story utilizing an apple fraction toy, 2 puppets and a basket:
Marty the Moose heard a knock on his door (knock on the chalkboard). He opened the door (squeak) and there was his good friend, Sam the squirrel..
Improvise and have the puppets take turns slicing the apples and sharing them out, conserving in thoughts that the purpose is to introduce and assist the kids be accustomed to the concept of equal sized items which are part of an entire object and fraction phrases similar to halves, quarters, thirds.
Play easy small group fraction video games
Relying in your class measurement chances are you’ll want to separate the category into small teams, having one half working at unbiased math facilities with modeling clay, drawing, blocks or puzzles and the opposite half enjoying the fraction sport. As youngsters play video games and play with fraction toys they’ll acquire fraction quantity sense.