Numbers!
Ensure your child fully understands them and their properties!

The natural number system starts with the number 1, and is all whole numbers greater than this. Once children have learned these they will move

on by learning their whole numbers. The hardest part of this is to understand the concept of Zero.

Once this has been accomplished they continue their journey of numbers parallel to understanding the concepts of the different mathematical operations. 

The names given to to different types of numbers are used in everyday language on a regular basis. A good idea for you as a parent is to use these words effortlessly in your conversations. They don't necessarily have to be associated with math when you do this. By doing this, as your child moves forward in their numbers education, the official terms wont sound like a foreign language to them!

Some examples of Math Numbers Vocabulary being used in every day language.

  • Get Real!
  • He is such a Rational Person.
  • Radical Dude!
  • They are in their Prime.
  • Don't be so Irrational!

These are just a few examples. I'm sure you can come up with a lot more when you sit down to think about it.

Teaching Numbers to your K6 Student.

As you introduce different types of numbers to your K-6 student, it is a good idea to always bring the new concepts back to natural numbers, whole numbers and integers. An example of this is 3/4 (three quarters). This is not just three quarters of something!

We teach our children how to write whole numbers in expanded notation.  Learning to represent fractions or rational numbers in different ways is also very important. 3/4 can also be written as 1/4 x 3 and as 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4.  If your child has a sound understanding of the concepts of multiplication, addition, division and subtraction, fractions will be a breeze!

As you progress through all the different lessons on numbers here, you will notice how I do this. You will also find printable math worksheets for your child to practice their new knowledge, as well as printable manipulatives to help you teach the concepts.

What else is helpful to teaching these essentials?

I also provide printable math posters and cheat sheets that you can offer your child. These are great to print off (I also suggest putting them in plastic sleeves or laminating them). Pop them into a ring binder, so they are all in one place for your kids easy access. Using these visual study aids, I believe, is a lot better than calculators!

You will also find board games, card games and puzzles that you can play with your child to have a little fun with math, and reinforce their math facts at the same time!

Here is a comprehensive list of the numbers and operations your child must learn during their K6 Math journey.