It seemed like many of the homeschooling parents I heard of were having their children make lunch or dinner as part of their home school day. I thought it was a little strange, but I understood that there was definitely teaching opportunities in the practice.
This week, my daughter and I have been making cookies everyday. In addition to learning basic baking, she is really showing improvements in her math.
I have her calculate the number of cookies we need to fill a tray, count the total number of cookies made, and help with measurements.
I did not realize how much math she was picking up until last night when I started counting to three. Yes, the famous count to three so your child will do or not do something. Anyway, I counted 1…2…and as she rushed to pick up her stuff she said ” 2 1/4, 2 1/2, 2 3/4.” I must admit, I was very impressed. I never thought of her gaining the concept of fractions so soon. I thought that would come in a later grade than Kindergarten.
Although my daughter seems to have a knack for math anyway, I think the practical, hands on learning of mathematical concepts is very beneficial to her really comprehending. She is demonstrating higher math skills, logic, and reasoning than I ever expected.
Now that she grasps fractions on some level, I just wish I could just get her past stumbling over 14, 15, and 16 when she counts! (Yes, once out of the teens, she counts well past 100).
It reminds me of a math professor of mine who couldn’t do basic math, but was a whiz at trig, calculus, and everything else at a higher level.
