NUMBERS & MEASUREMENTS

Children are curious creatures with a desire to learn, and it's something we should encourage from an early age. Many daycare centers today are good
at supporting children's early literacy by practicing the alphabet, rhyming, and writing their names. But did you know that an even better indicator
of their academic future is their early understanding of mathematics?

In this material, we have developed 4 activities with the sole purpose of improving children's early math skills. The activities are easy
to start with a small group of children and can be adjusted/adapted according to age and level. Above all, the activities are fun and nurture children's
natural curiosity for numbers.

WHY ARE EARLY MATH SKILLS IMPORTANT?

Mathematics is much more than counting and recognizing numbers; at its core, it's about problem-solving. While it's important to learn to
read and write, it's just as important for children to have some basic mathematical skills. When children start school, basic abilities
in a range of mathematical areas will help them succeed and ease the transition from daycare to school.

This material focuses on areas of mathematics related to numbers and measurement/proportions. Mathematics also includes
spatial awareness and patterns. Activities for these areas are included in our Build & Learn Shapes material. The skills children need to
learn about numbers and measurement/proportions are:

1. Number Sense
   The ability to understand numbers. This often starts with learning to count, which most children practice at an early age, and is often their first encounter with mathematics. Later, they will also learn to count backward. This is also the ability to understand numbers, e.g., the number 2. Children must learn to count to two, what shape 2 has, and that the name of 2 is "two." Number sense also includes the ability to add and subtract.
2. Representation
   This is where children learn to connect numbers with their reality. When children begin to learn to count, they typically learn the sequence of numbers but not what it means. They can count five pencils on the table but may not understand that it means there are five pencils – this is the next step in learning mathematics, and it's called representation.
3. Estimation
   Once children begin to understand number sense and representation, they are ready to start estimating. This is essentially the same as making good guesses. It's the ability to make an educated guess about which of two piles has more of something. Children practice their estimation skills when they use or hear words like "more" and "less."
4. Measurement
   This is where children learn that they can measure distance, height, weight, and much more. To begin with, the specific units of measurement are not as important; they start by gaining a basic understanding that they can measure things. Later, they can learn that some things are measured in kg, cm, etc.

It is the combination of these abilities/skills, as well as spatial awareness and patterns, that provides children with a solid foundation for
mathematics. For this reason, these are the areas that the included activities focus on. This product is intended as a tool that you can easily
use in your daily work as an educator.

ZPIIEL AND MATHEMATICS

Play and Learn
A fantastic way for children to practice basic number and measurement skills is through play. Children are naturally curious about numbers, and meeting them in
their interest/supporting this and responding to it is important. Zpiiel elements can be used for both child-initiated play and for
planned educational activities.

Play with all senses
When you play with Zpiiel build & learn, a range of senses are activated: Children can touch, see, and manipulate the numbers. In addition, adult
participation can activate the sense of hearing and the problem-solving aspect. Ways this can be done are by talking to them about numbers and giving
them tasks to solve. Children will also use their tactile sense because they can physically touch and feel the numbers. Building the numbers instead
of just writing them helps children understand the numbers on a deeper level.

Your imagination is the only limit
With this product, you build the numbers yourself using the building kit; you can easily involve the children. The elements have ball joints, which
means it's easy to change the shape of the numbers. Find inspiration for activities that improve early math skills on the following
pages. The elements can also easily be used for free play where children can build houses, animals, monsters, or whatever they wish.