Greetings!
A few days ago I introduced my son to Mathematics, particularly Addition. In this blog, I started to teach him actual addition exercises using small numbers that can be counted on both hands' fingers. I used a simple and engaging instrument called Intelligence Sticks. Also, while he is learning about addition he is also tasked to count using the Intelligence Sticks, therefore enhancing his counting skills.
First of we started with:
2 + 2
I chose to start with small numbers that he can count on my hands' fingers so that it will be easier for him to visualize and understand how addition works.
As a start, I put together a "2 + 2 =" equation while I am speaking each of the numbers, the plus sign, and the equal sign. Then I spoke and gestured 2 plus 2 on my fingers and I told him to count them. After he counted my fingers I told him to look for the number that he counted and then put it next to the equal sign.
And from then on he understood immediately how addition works. I guess my hand gesture helps a lot.
After he put the number 4 next to the equal sign I told him to get two sticks and then put them below the first number two, then he did the same on the next number 2 and also to the number 4.
And we are finished with his first Addition lesson.
I am actually anxious if he understood what I taught him. So, to confirm if he actually understood I challenged him to put together a "2 + 4 ="...
2 + 4
It was a relief when he did it correctly, he actually just removed the two numbers 2 then he replaced them with 2 and 4. I will be more impressed if he just removes the second number 2 and then replaces it with the number 4 since I am asking him to put together a "2 + 4".
After that, I again spoke and gestured 2 plus 4 on my fingers and I told him to count them again. He counted six, I told him to look for the number six and then put it next to the equal sign.
Again, I told him to count two sticks then put it under the number 2.
The same goes with number 4, I told him to count four sticks then put it under the number 4.
And for the sum, he counted six sticks and put them under the number 6.
And that's it. his second lesson of Addition is done.
After the second lesson, I am now pretty confident that he understood what I taught him so I am pretty happy with the outcome of his first Addition lesson. And of course, I am pretty happy with this lesson because we are hitting two birds with one stone since this lesson also involves counting.
Next up is...
4 + 4
In this next lesson, my son did exactly the same in putting up the "4 + 4", in counting my fingers, and in putting the number 8 next to the equal sign. But when he is about to count the sticks and put it under the numbers he swayed away from the standard steps, instead of counting first the sticks for "4 + 4" he first counts eight sticks and then put it under the number 8. Then he counts four sticks for the second number 4, and last is the first number 4 (see the next four images below).
2 + 5
In this next lesson he started a bit playful. After he arranged "2 + 5" he then sits on top of the bed, he counted my fingers and then put the number 7 next to the equal sign. Then I told him to count sticks, instead, he started to arrange the numbers in two lines and then started to mention each number while he is pointing it with his fingers.
I begged him to stop and start counting the sticks again to which he obliged then he put them under the number 2.
When he was about to count the sticks for the number 5, instead of counting them right away he holds them upright while counting the stick one by one, to a point where I stopped him again.
After he stopped he counter five sticks and then put them under the number 5.
And then he started to play again with the numbers, I stopped him again and told him to count sticks for the number 7.
He obliged to count some stick for the number but in a playful manner. This time I let him count playfully.
Then he put it under the number 7.
5 + 4
Like in the previous lesson, the same goes for the "5 + 4" lesson, he's a bit playful, I had to stop him and told him to continue the lesson, to which he always obliged.
5 + 5
The same goes for the last lesson which is "5 + 5", he did the lesson a bit playful too and I urged him many times to go on and do the lesson. Since I am using my fingers for him to count we stopped at "5 + 5".
Overall, I am satisfied with my son's performance. I am glad that he understood and did all the lessons correctly.
That is all for now guys, see you next time. Wishing you all safety, good health, and abundance.
