Maths ability on entry to school is the strongest predictor of later
academic achievement, double that of literacy skills, and simply saying
more number words to babies increases their maths ability. What else
have scientists, psychologists and professors learned about maths for
babies?
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Babies seem to be born with an amazing number sense: understanding
shapes in the womb, being aware of quantities at seven hours old,
calculating probability at six months old, and doing addition and
subtraction at nine months old.
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The best time to introduce maths is infancy. By the time children
enter school there is already a significant gap in maths skills, this
gap increases over time.
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A parent's attitude shapes a child's attitude. Parents have the power
to teach their babies that learning maths can be either something to
feel anxious about or something to enjoy.
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Babies can learn maths while boosting all other areas of development.
For example, movement is boosted while teaching geometry positional
language, literacy is boosted while reading a "number" book, and
bonding is boosted by giving a baby undivided attention while teaching
maths to him or her.
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Maths is important. Babies will use maths every day for the rest of
their lives.
What about the impact of gender, culture, videos, sleep, diet-even the
type of pushchair you buy? 100 Ways in 100 Days to Teach Your Baby
Maths holds the answers.
