MATHEMATICS
3 Ways To Know if Your Child is Math Smart
Logical – Mathematical Intelligence is one of the 8 intelligences theorized by the fame Howard Gardner. Individuals with Logical – Mathematical Intelligence demonstrate the following abilities:
- They analyze situations logically and are practical people.
- Their research and solutions towards problems are driven by clear facts and hard data instead of their own subjective feelings.
- These people enjoy examining causal relationships in the problems they come across.
Another feature of these people is their ability to read abstract graphs, complex statistics and data. They are adept thinkers and will utilize the data garnered to improve their research outcomes. Read on to find out what other traits “Math Smart” children should possess.
“Math Smart” children are already counting in their heads and can share with parents what the total number of objects is, or how the objects should be classified.
Characteristics of “Math Smart” Children
“Math Smart” children are aware of basic mathematical concepts before they have been exposed or taught; they are usually 5 to 10 years ahead of their peers. Typically, children learn concepts such as, number sense, more and less, addition and subtraction, time and patterns between ages 4 – 6. While children are learning to count aloud, these “Math Smart” children are already counting in their heads and can share with parents what the total number of objects is, or how the objects should be classified. When questioned on how they arrive at their answer, they have difficulty answering. They do not have an answer because students talented in mathematics do not think about math the same way other children do.
Math Smart” children favor order. They find joy in problem-solving and the more challenging the problems are, the better. They approach problems systematically and asks questions relating to facts and statistics. When told to do a task, they prefer instructions to be given in a clear and logical manner. “Math Smart” children want precision and can be frustrated if rules and procedures are not outlined thoroughly. Embarking on a project, you will observe them talking about or listing down what they want to do in an organized manner. A downside of this trait is these children may face problems when working with individuals who do not like to be bounded by logical sequences. Parents can mitigate this by bringing their children to social places like parks and playgrounds, so that they can interact with peers of different personalities
Children who are Logically – Mathematically intelligent may have difficulty staying attentive for a prolonged period. These group of children are often cognitively advanced and find lessons boring. Challenging concepts that take their eight to fifteen times to understand will only take them once or twice. They dislike repetitive activities and parents may receive feedback from teachers that they are disruptive in class. These children are usually independent and fast thinkers – their thought process is unusual, and classmates may not be able to understand them, resulting in conflict and anger. To counteract this, parents can collaborate with teachers and have these “Math Smart” children work on harder questions while the lessons are being carried out. This makes them feel supported while minimizing classroom disturbance.
How can I strengthen my children’s Logical–Mathematical Intelligence?
Building children’s Logical – Mathematical Intelligence is imperative for it will train their analytical skills and steer them towards thinking critically. These skills drive children to be confident and versatile individuals who can draw information from various sources to propose multi – faceted and logical solutions.
The first thing parents need to do is provide an organized environment with minimal distractions. A neat environment is essential to toddlers’ logical thinking skills. This removes unnecessary clutter from their minds. Parents do not have to spend exorbitant amounts on children’s toys. The number of toys and its functions should be minimal. For toddlers, their sensorial experiences are imprinted in their minds, and this builds their logical thinking skills. Hence, toys should be palm sized. Parents should remove all external distractions when speaking to your children. This allows what you say to be internalized, thereby allowing children to develop a thought process behind what you say.
As for preschoolers, parents can introduce hands-on activities that require them to be precise and meticulous. One example is baking where children need to follow the instructions given otherwise their baked goods will turn out to be inedible. Parents can rope children in throughout the whole process, starting from the arrangement of the ingredients. Effective learning occurs when children feel comfortable. Parents need to be aware of this and introduce developmentally appropriate games so that they do not lose interest. The following are some games that you can initiate at home:
Sudoku
Sudoku stimulates children’s logical reasoning skills. They learn to concentrate as losing their focus will destroy their thinking process. You can start off with a 2×2 grid. Do share the instructions with your children in a clear and concise manner. If your children run into difficulty, encourage and persuade them to try out different numbers.
Graph It
Graphs are good for both math and logical reasoning skills. Lay out 2 to 3 types of fruits or manipulatives and have your children make a graph according to it. Upon completion, parents can ask children about their findings. Increase the number of items each time you do this activity. This activity teaches children the importance of sorting and trains them to present their findings in an organized and easy-to-understand manner.
Conclusion
Everyone has Logical – Mathematical Intelligence but the amount differs from people to people. As parents, you have a role in ensuring your children develop this intelligence because it is what will help them navigate and make sense of the happenings around them. Up to the age of 6, their logical brain is developing rapidly, and these concrete experiences are what they require. So, put aside the technological devices and give them open-ended materials to play with. It is not only good for their brain development; it is also a chance for you to bond with them.