The Math Center

The math center is a place the children go to work alone or in very small groups to work on small motor and problem solving skills with small sized materials.

Through the manipulation of many different materials, children are introduced to the world of math.  This is not only done with the unit blocks, but also with many other materials the children can count, sort and weigh.  Spatial relationships and quantity are also discovered.  As the children are allowed to manipulate the material, they become very involved in their play. It's hard work reinventing mathematical principles for yourself!

Educational Value

1. In this center with a choice of solitary or group play, the child works on social skills and learning when he/she needs to be alone.
2. There is the developing of eye-hand coordination, because many of the materials are specifically designed to assist fine motor development.
3. Some materials involve creativity in design or arrangement, and others call for a specific solution. Both skills are needed in formal learning.
4. Considerable mathematics is learned here as the child counts, matches shapes, locates the position of materials, and places objects into series or categories.
5. The variety of materials and the differing levels of experience offered allow the child to be free to use the materials that he/she is developmentally ready for, and work with these concepts at his/her own rate.
6. It offers the child the chance to develop a math vocabulary that is so necessary for the formal education that will follow.
7. If offers the child concrete materials to manipulate in order to learn the mathematical building blocks he must attain in order to understand higher math.  This is all done in an atmosphere where the child is not pushed or drilled in order that the child may develop positive attitudes about learning.