I never imagined I'd have a child who declares, "I love math!" to anyone who might ask. We're an unschooling family, so people tend to imagine that my kids won't be so academically inclined. Nonetheless, my eldest daughter has devoured a host of math learning resources.
It makes a certain sense given that her dad also has an affinity for mathematical concepts. He's a software engineer and general science enthusiast. My daughter sees him working through problems using his appreciable math skills.
As I suggested in "Unschooling Reading," unschoolers learn things in a variety of ways from a variety of sources. I'll tell you how my "advanced" mathematical daughter has approached her math learning, as well as some other ways an enthusiastic or reluctant child might develop a sturdy foundation of math skills.
My Unschooler's Favorite Math Resources
- Highlights Mathmania puzzle books are probably my daughter's top favorite resource.
- She plays a fair number of online math games, such as MathBlaster and PlanetOrange.
- We read the Life of Fred narrative math series together. My younger daughter enjoys that one, too.
- We use Abacus Math, a hands-on mental math tool, alternative to calculator use.
- We have LEGO Education math and robotics kits, as well as other fun and creative building projects.
- We play with cuisenaire rods, moebius noodles, and other math manipulatives.
- I visit Living Math!, a resource website for fun and hand-on, experiential math learning.
Math is Everywhere
I suspect that parents typically worry about math, because we don't acknowledge the math learning we absorb simply by living in the world. We more likely remember the unmotivated drills and paperwork assignments we received in school. "A Mathematician's Lament (pdf)" shares thoughts on why conventional methods suck the joy out of math and how you might do things differently with your children.
In "Math - Unschooling Style," unschooling mom Dayna Martin described some ways that math learning happens in her family.
Math doesn't stand alone. Can you imagine a job that doesn't require math in some way (architect, musician, baker, software engineer)? Math is useful. It's a tool which we all can develop skill in using. That's why our children will want to develop the skill. An unschooling parent's job is to be available to help when a child encounters the need for a mathematical tool.
In addition to puzzle books and games, my children absorb and discover math skills through cooking and baking, building and measuring, observing and experimenting through play. I truly don't think I could prevent them from accumulating foundational math concepts if I tried.
Learn Math Together
My daughter has watched me study and learn new mathematical concepts, which I needed in order to help her solve various problems and puzzles. We've learned together. That's one of the beautiful experiences that has drawn me to unschooling, interest-driven learning.
You might also enjoy: The Unschooling Collection
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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