Using Mathematics Worksheets to Prepare Your Child For School

Parents usually start teaching their child about numbers and counting from an early age. There are plenty books, toys and games with numbers and counting activities, but you may find you get to a stage where you feel you need a more systematic approach. With the worldwide concerns about math and literacy standards, you don't want your child left behind.

The structure and step-by-step teaching that mathematics worksheets provide is as important as the lessons your child will learn in free play. Particularly with a subject like math, where learning follows a natural progression, a good set of kids math worksheets can help parents teach their child in a systematic way that will help them to understand the basic principles and put them into practice. At the same time, worksheets teach your child other skills they will need to master so they are ready for school.

Mathematics worksheets should start with number recognition, as this is the first step in math literacy. They should help your child to develop an understanding of the quantity those numbers represent as well. Worksheets will do this with fun activities and color-by-numbers pictures to begin with. Varied worksheets are preferable to repetitive ones - they get boring for your child, and don't develop an understnding of the principle behind the lesson.

Your child will also have to learn to write the numbers. There are a number of ways to teach this, but the first step is to trace the numbers, either with dot-to-dot numbers, or solid lines. Worksheets are particularly handy for this exercise, as it is quite time-consuming to draw practice sheets yourself. Learning to write anything, letters or numbers, takes a lot of practice, so if you have a few writing exercises, print a couple of copies of them so you have them on hand.

Writing is a big step for your child, so be sure to encourage their efforts - even when they don't quite get it right.

A good set of kids math worksheets will introduce patterns and sequencing exercises to help children develop logical thought patterns. Most of mathematics is based on logic, so these worksheets are important. Of course, it helps if the worksheets are fun to do - using different methods and nice pictures so the child has fun while he or she learns.

Basic addition and subtraction will follow, with simple sums that explain the concept of adding and taking away. Using physical examples such as blocks can help to show your child how these principles work. Practice is key here, but a good set of worksheets will help to make sure that the practice is varied and stimulating, not repetitive. You can introduce adding and subtracting games to your child at this stage too, even in as simple an everyday activity as going to the grocery store. Ask your child to count how many items you put in the cart, or how many bottles of milk you need - and then add one more, or take one away. There are many opportunities to get your child to practice counting, addition and subtraction in normal activities.

When your child starts school, they will be expected to be able to recognize and write the numbers up to 20. They should have some knowledge of sequences, and be able to complete simple sums in addition and subtraction. Although free play will teach them about numbers and quantities, the formal structure of a comprehensive set of worksheets will help them when they get to kindergarten or school and are faced with mathematics worksheets every day.

While I don't suggest that you have your child sit and do worksheets all day, it is beneficial in many ways to get your child to do a worksheet every second day or so. Teach your child to sit still at a specific desk or table when they are doing their worksheets - this helps them learn to sit at their table at school. Age specific worksheets will be designed to take a short amount of time that is appropriate for the age group they are recommended for. Make sure that your child sits and finishes the worksheets - no interruptions for TV programs or to play a different game should be allowed. While the worksheets should be fun to do, your child also needs to learn that there is a time to play and a time to work - they'll need to understand the difference at school too.

Sitting doing a worksheet a couple of times a week helps your child develop the concentration skills he or she will need at school too. Many children who are labelled hyperactive have just never been taught to sit still and focus on the task at hand. (That is not to say that ADD and ADHD are a result of kids not being taught to sit still!).

If your child is used to doing worksheets, and has a thorough grasp of the basic principles of math, it stands to reason that they will enter school with more confidence in their abilities than children who have never seen a mathematics worksheet before. Going to school is a time of great excitement - and much trepidation. New peers, new teachers, new buildings, new places and a whole new routine await your child on their first day of school. If they have a good grounding in math and other learning areas, they can use their confidence in those areas to overcome their fears in others. Kids math worksheets can help your child learn, gain confidence and do well at school.

The success of the David Dolphin Workbook Series for preschoolers has led to the development of a Mathematics WOrkbook, with only math-related worksheets. As with the general worksheets, they follow a systematic approach to learning, with an emphasis on understanding the principles rather than just learning by rote. They are varied, interesting and fun. With the poor attitude so many adults have towards math, it is important to make learning math a fun activity. The David Dolphin Mathematics Worksheets do just that.