Number sense is a crucial part of child development, especially since it is a fundamental foundation for developing your child’s numeracy skills. But how do you define number sense, and how do you help your child develop it?
What is Number Sense?
Number sense refers to how a child understands, relates to, and connects with numbers. It goes beyond a simple understanding of numbers and leans toward becoming flexible with them. It allows them to understand how to use numbers simply by exploring them in fun, unique ways (through books or daily play) with the support of tutors, parents, and even their peers.
Children with a strong number sense are highly likely to move beyond surface-level understanding or memorisation and gradually develop a strong grasp of mathematical concepts as they grow older. This would mean that children can provide reasons for their answers, ascertain number relationships, and make numerical predictions for various situations.
A prior study from 1988 had indicated that babies have an innate number sense. The study found that babies could discern numerical quantities simply by looking at pictures of dots, and that their focus time differed when the number of dots changed. Further studies over the years have also found that number sense starts very early. It only shows that with meticulous teaching and support, a child can gradually expand their number sense in ways that support their personal development, including excelling academically and in their future careers.
Components of Number Sense
There are several core components that would be the foundation of number sense and all mathematical learning.
Counting & Cardinality
Not only are children able to count numbers in sequence, but they also understand that numbers come in a set order and can apply one-to-one correspondence, where objects and things possess numerical value.
Meanwhile, cardinality teaches that rearranging a set of items does not change the total number; only the order of the items is altered. As such, five lines of four bean bags per line is the same as two lines of ten bean bags per line.
Number Relationships
Children can identify various number patterns and recognise small quantities without counting. They can understand the concept of addition and subtraction, and possibly even multiplication and division, with proper teaching to support their developing knowledge. They can even break down numbers into parts and reassemble them, like how 6 + 4 is the same as 8 + 2.
Numerical Operations
Children can learn to perform mental maths that helps them understand and subsequently solve problems, whether it is addition, subtraction, or a combination of operations.
Magnitude & Quantity
Children can understand the difference between high and low numbers (e.g., 10 and 1) and also compare, identify, and estimate various quantities.
Estimations
Children also learn to approximate numbers, such as rounding to specific place values.
Real-World Applications
Children can apply what they have learned to various real-world situations, helping them understand how numbers and maths are crucial to their daily lives. It can start with something as simple as counting change, finding out discounted prices, and even telling the time.
How to Develop Your Child’s Number Sense
One key way to develop your child’s number sense is to teach them through play. That does not necessarily mean your child does not need maths revision, but research has found that meaningful, educational playtime can help reinforce your child’s lessons and strengthen their number sense.
The best way to start is to be involved with your child’s learning journey, starting with shared reading and numeracy activities. You can read storybooks aloud together, focusing on aspects that highlight mathematical concepts, and allow your child to work on them with gentle parental guidance to ease them into things. You can also let them participate in daily activities, whether it is preparing ingredients for lunch, organising small items for storage, or even counting birds while out and about.
Board games and songs are also perfect companions for teaching numeracy and number sense, especially since they primarily focus on specific topics. Both are fairly straightforward and fun learning tools because they encourage repetition that gradually instils the lessons. Of course, you are not limited to these; your teaching tools can come from various everyday objects, which also help foster a sense of curiosity and creativity throughout their lessons.
Even revision sessions can be fun. Infusing fun and tying it to real-world contexts are great ways to maintain your child’s attention while developing their number sense. Even the simple act of making funny voices can go a long way toward entertaining early learners while still building their interest in maths.
Grow With Me is committed to supercharging young learners with a host of fun, engaging activities that help to develop their number sense. Our numeracy classes for kids help children learn through play, offering exciting classroom sessions that build strong foundational numeracy skills. Enrol with us today!
