Hello -
I am moving this discussion from another thread. I noticed that DH and I have been quizzing DS5 on math lately.
There are times when it is a light hearted game that everyone enjoys, like word problems that are fun to figure out.
Other times I get the sense that DS hesitates because he does not want to be wrong. Or he is annoyed because the questions are too easy. I don't want DH and I to get into a habit we all will regret later. As pass the potatoes notes, down the road we could be looking at a kid who hides what he knows or shuts down.
I was about to ask what are some fun ways to practice math that won't feel like drilling or quizzing? Especiall for a verbal kid? I have a few ideas already but am curious what others do. (DS is doing addition, subtraction, some multiplication)
Thanks!
Great post. I agree with all of it. Kids do know the difference and over the long term kids quizzing can lead to kids hiding what they know and shutting down too.
Another thing to consider is that this quizzing kind interacting isn't really modeling very good social skills. I've seen kids who have been talked to like this a lot and then they hit the preschool years and start saying to playmates "what color is the banana?" and that doesn't really work as a form of conversation with peers.
It is great to talk to and read to your baby. I would encourage more of a narration style of talking and not worry about teaching colors, etc. - I think you'll find naturally they pick this stuff up as long as you talk and read to them.
