The world is made up of all kinds of people. Some can divide, multiply, add and subtract any in the time it takes you to realize you need a calculator, and others can't add 5 plus 2 without a pen and paper. Sure, you don't need to calculate numbers at top speed to be successful, but being good with numbers doesn't hurt either. Being able to work with numbers rapidly is a skill that comes in handy while sitting for most standardized tests like the CAT, SAT, GMAT, GRE and other entrance exams. In fact most entrance exams
have a very basic level of math. The emphasis is on speed, and
calculators are not allowed. So, being quick at simple calculations can
be a great advantage.
You may have noticed shopkeepers
that operate out of non-computerised stores can calculate at rapid
speed and place your change in your hand before you blink twice. This
is not because they are more intelligent than you are, but because they
have more practice of playing with numbers
than you do. In the same manner you can boost your child's mathematical
ability by constantly requiring him to calculate things mentally.
Randomly asking him to add 2 and 4 won't help much though. Here's what
you can do to keep his interest in numbers alive and his mind sharp and alert.
Playing Shop (ages 3 to 5)
Let your child set up a small 'stall' in one corner of the house. You
will need food tins, toys, various other knick-knacks, and paper money.
Ask questions regarding the product and pricing like any other customer
would. Take turns being customer and shopkeeper. Every now and then
give your child less change than you should, and see if he catches you.
Playing Shop (ages 6 to 8)
You could go a step further and start selling items according
to weight. The pricing could be weight-wise, and your child should be
required to weigh everything before selling it. In this manner your
child will get familiar with weights and measures. You could also sell
things like string, and require it to be sold according to length.
Shop could be a standing game amongst you. You could ask your
child to fetch you anything from the refrigerator, and he can charge
you a price for it, and you could pay him. After a while you could ask
him to hurry up with the calculations or he doesn't get paid. This will
keep the excitement going. Also, take your child shopping with you and
let him do the calculations.
Height games (ages 6 to 8)
Let your child measure his height. Make him stand
straight against the wall, and mark the wall at the top of his head.
Your child can then measure the distance of the mark from the ground.
He can measure it in centimeters and then convert the measurements to
feet or metres. Let him measure his height every three months or so,
and let him note down the difference between his heights from month to month. How much has he grown in three months? In a year?
A little interaction with numbers and mental calculations will go a long way in sharpening your child's mathematical ability.
Name:
Rinku Bhate
Country: india
very good ideas!!
Name:
preeti
Country: india
this was interesting. never really thought about it. should give it a try.
Name:
venkat pilgulwar
Country: U.S.A.
excellent idea
Name:
Kekamaao
Country: india
"after a while you could ask him to hurry up with the calculations or he doesn’t get paid." a better idea is to pay a bonus for quick calculations. not paying for slow ones creates anxiety if the task is difficult, and can reduce performance.
