Introduction
When it comes to teaching children new material, teachers need to understand that the best approach to reinforcing the learning process and memorization is through entertaining processes. For example, teaching children through playing or other activities that might pique their interest can be beneficial. Learning colors, shapes, numbers, and measurements can all be memorized through the environment, and one of the places that can provide both activities and learning is a playground.
Teaching Children New Material
When teaching children math, an educator must have knowledge of five basic math domains. According to Moomaw (2013, p.8), five math domains include “numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, and probability.” To start with numbers and operations, educators can ask children to quantify the plants around the playground or objects in the place. In order to not confuse the children, it is optimal to ask them to count objects of the same class, for example, only swings or only flowers.
Another math domain concerned with algebra is identifying whether three children can use a seesaw generally made for two people. Furthermore, geometry can be taught through shapes, meaning that the educator might ask what shapes the objects that children make from sand in a sandbox. The educator might incorporate the numbers and operations domain to complicate the task and ask the child how many objects they have made so far. Then, the measurement domain can be taught via inquiries about the sizes of the objects. Lastly, an educator might ask children to vote for their favorite object at the playground for data analysis and probability, whether it is a swing, seesaw, or sandbox.
Conclusion
Thus, teaching children new material can be complicated when giving raw information that cannot be practiced. As a result, it can be said that children learn best through the activities that interest them. For instance, children can learn basic math by quantifying objects and shapes, enumerating items and analyzing their feelings regarding new data. With the help of their ordinary activities, they can be taught material without putting them under stress.
Reference
Moomaw, S. (2013). Teaching STEM in the early years : Activities for integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Redleaf Press.