Families are a significant influence on their children’s learning and development (Levine et al., 2010; Snow, 2016b, p. 11-20; State of Victoria, 2018). These games are well-suited for use by homeschooling parents and parents who want to find extra ways for their children to learn arithmetic. Children can play the games with a parent or another family member.
Parents should expect that young siblings playing the games may have difficulty keeping the peace when random dice rolls or card draws happen to make one sibling win several times in a row. Of course, any children — not just young siblings — may feel this way about random streaks of bad luck. But young children may have stronger feelings about bad-luck streaks when they are playing with their siblings than when they are playing with friends or classmates. If this happens, it will be helpful if an older family member is ready to step in as a player.
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References
Levine, Susan C., Linda Whealton Suriyakham, Meredith L. Rowe, Janellen Huttenlocher, and Elizabeth A. Gunderson. 2010. “What Counts in the Development of Young Children’s Number Knowledge?” Developmental Psychology 46(5): 1309-1313.
Snow, Kate. 2016. Preschool Math at Home: Simple Activities to Build the Best Possible Foundation for Your Child. Charles City, VA: Well-Trained Mind Press.
State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training). May 2018. Literacy and Numeracy Tips to Help Your Child Every Day: A Guide for Parents of Children Aged 0-12. Retrieved from https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/english/literacy/LiteracyandNumeracyTipstoHelpYourChild_Final.pdf
August 18, 2020