If you have a young child, you’re likely impressed (and sometimes overwhelmed!) by the amount of natural energy they have. Channel this energy into a love for learning that can set them on the path to financial success.
Experts agree that at age two, children start to understand the purpose of numbers and will begin to try to count objects. If you have a two-year old, now is a great time to begin introducing them to numbers. While your child may not be ready to read the actual numbers on the page of a book, you can make counting a part of your everyday activities to help them learn.
There are countless ways to introduce numbers into everyday life. Counting your child’s fingers or toes while getting them dressed or during a bath, or inserting numbers into conversation (“I see two puppies. Do you see two puppies?”) doesn’t take much time or energy, but could have a big impact on your child.
Learning numbers and practicing counting can be fun for your little one. If they love to be read to, there are plenty of books available that can help them practice counting. You can also have your child count similar items on a page of their favorite book (“How many horses are there?” “Let’s count the apples.”)
You can also help your child learn by using their favorite games and toys. If they like to hide, take turns counting to ten while the other one hides. If they love playing with cars, have them line up their favorites and count them. If your child is a visual learner, there are many affordable flashcards available that help children learn to count through the use of fun pictures. If you don’t want to buy them premade, you can easily make your own and customize them to your child’s interests. Grab a stack of index cards, markers, and stickers, and create your own set with an increasing number of items on each card.