Have you ever considered using storytelling in early math education? If not, I’m here to convince you! Storytelling is a wonderful way to ignite curiosity and foster understanding with our little learners.
In fact, the complete How Wee Learn Primary Math Curriculum—from Grades 1 to 3—teaches math through storytelling. I’ll tell you a bit more about the curriculum (and how you can cover all core skills through just ONE page a day!), but first, let’s chat more about storytelling and why it is such an integral part of the curriculum.
The Power of Storytelling in Early Math Education
So why am I such a huge proponent of using storytelling to teach math? Simply put, it is a way to reach our little learners. When abstract concepts are presented as a story, it is engaging, drawing children in and adding a deep level of meaning.
Let’s take a closer look at how storytelling in early math education works:
1. Storytelling allows children to make real-life connections.
Stories provide a bridge between abstract mathematical concepts and real-life scenarios. By embedding math within narratives, children can easily see how mathematical concepts relate to their everyday experiences. Whether counting apples in a basket or measuring the height of a towering tree, storytelling brings math to life, making it tangible and relatable.
2. Stories are engaging for young learners.
One of the most remarkable qualities of storytelling in early math education is its ability to captivate young children. Through narratives, children are transported to imaginative worlds where they become active participants in the learning process. By weaving math into stories, you can capture children’s attention, fostering a natural inclination toward learning.
3. Stories show how math concepts work together.
Storytelling can help to tie different math concepts together. By following characters through mathematical adventures, children begin to learn how different mathematical concepts complement and build upon each other, laying a solid foundation for future learning.
4. Children can relate to characters.
By witnessing characters grapple with mathematical challenges, children not only empathize with their struggles but also draw parallels to their own lives. As you’re reading a story, children may stop and exclaim, “Oh! That’s just like when…” Making these connections will also help children recognize math concepts when they present themselves in real life later on.
5. Storytelling develops literacy skills at the same time.
Beyond teaching math, storytelling also nurtures children’s literacy skills. Through exposure to rich narratives, children expand their vocabulary, enhance their comprehension abilities, and develop a deeper appreciation for language. That’s a win-win!
How Wee Learn Math Curriculum
How Wee Learn’s Math Curriculum for Grades 1, 2, and 3 uses storytelling as the foundation.
For example, in Grade 2 Math, you will join Harper, her family, and all of the animals who live on their farm while you explore the five strands of math: Algebra, Financial Literacy, Spatial Sense, Data, and Numbers.
In each grade, skills are taught in a cyclical manner, so you will revisit mathematical concepts throughout the story. This gives children an opportunity to see how different concepts relate to one another while also giving children a chance to refresh their memory and sharpen their skills throughout the curriculum.
Plus, the curriculum is set up to cover all core skills in one page a day—yep, just one page!
Each day, you read part of the story where you are introduced to a math concept, then you complete the questions relating to that part of the story. Easy peasy!
How Wee Learn’s Storybook Math Curriculum
Learn more about each grade level right here:
https://shop.howweelearn.com/collections/grade-school-math-and-literacy
You can also take a peek at the Grade 1 Math Curriculum with a Free Sample to see how easy it can be to teach your child math through storytelling:
And if you have any questions, remember, I’m here to help! Comment on this post with your questions, and I will respond as soon as I am able.
Thank you so much for reading, sweet friend,
xo
Sarah
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