for families

Math Tips

• Math is all around you.
  Every time you measure ingredients for a recipe, estimate how long something will take, count your change, notice patterns in a tiled floor, read a thermometer, or follow directions to a location, you use math to get the job done.
• Talk with your child about the math you use.
  Share what you are thinking — your reasoning and how you figure things out — when you do something in your day that involves math. Look for ways your child can take part.
• Build a "can-do" attitude toward math.
  Your child learns from your behaviors. Use your everyday math experiences as proof that math is everywhere and we can all be successful with it.
• Being wrong can help you be right.
  Make a mistake? Talk with your child about what you think happened or where you went wrong. Your reasoning will help your child see that mistakes can be learning opportunities.
• Relax!
  If you feel tense and frustrated doing math with your child, take a break. Remind yourself that your job is not to "teach," but to motivate, to nurture a positive attitude, and to offer whatever supports that you can.

Math Tips courtesy of: PBS Parents

Foundations of Math for Young Children

Mini Math Workshop: Math for Young Children

Resources for Families

Parent Guide to Starting Kindergarten

Online Resources

Pierce County Library

• Early Learning Resources
• Special Library Services for Child Care Providers
• Story Times

Getting School Ready Guides

• English
• Spanish

Ten Simple Ways to Help your Child Learn

• English
• Spanish

Child Profile Development Charts

• Birth to 18 months
• 18 months to 3 years
• 3 years to Kindergarten Entry

PBS Parents – Early Learning

Washington State Department of Early Learning

Childcare Resource and Referral of Tacoma-Pierce County

Guide to Parenting Resources

Born Learning

Zero to Three

Get Ready to Read

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