We live in a math and science based world.  The math and science skills of American children have been on the decline.  School systems have failed to address the science and math needs of children 2-6 years old.  Research shows that these children are capable of learning more in-depth math and science skills then they are being given.  Everything that a child sees, feels, tastes, smells, or hears is grounded in math and science concepts.  Parents must take an active role in helping their children to become math and science literate.

The book is filled with age-appropriate activities to help children to make math and science discoveries and connections about their world.  The activities are open-ended allowing for participation by children of different skill levels.  All of the activities are easy to follow and are based on how young children learn.  Parents are encouraged to take their clues from their child's interest.  There are suggested ideas as to how to approach and extend activities into further explorations. Creating Life-Long Math and Science Learners clearly puts parents in control.  Parents need only open the book to find easy to follow activities to help children to explore the math and science based world around them.  The activities are meant to be fun and a natural part of the child's learning experiences. 

Each major topic begins with Parent Background, Objectives, and a list of suggested vocabulary. Parent Background gives the rationale behind how young children learn specific skills.  This section also includes basic facts for parents about the topic.Suggestions are given to help to maximize the child's learning and understanding.    Throughout the book, vocabulary building is emphasized.  Parents are shown how to incorporate specific vocabulary into the activities, as well as connecting the vocabulary to other daily activities.

For 34 years, Mary Taylor Overton was an Early Childhood Education Specialist, in the Washington, D. C.Public School System.   She is widowed and has 2 children, both with advanced degrees in science. She also has 4 grandchildren Zachary, Taylor, Alex, and Justin. It was with her grandchildren in mind that she complied the materials for Creating Life-Long Math and Science Learners.

INTRODUCTION

Creating Life Long Math and Science Learners is a book for parents of children ages 2-6. The book shows parents how to engage their child in meaningful  math and science experiences and connections. Everything in your child’s world that he/she sees, touches, tastes, smells, or hears is math and science based. This makes science and math naturally appealing to young children; they are always searching for ways to understand the world around them.  Creating Life-Long Math and Science Learners taps into the child’s natural curiosity and is based on how children learn. Young children are visual, auditory, and tactile learners. Learning and understanding takes place when there is some prior knowledge. The activities are designed to help your child to develop strong math and science foundations. The goal of Creating Life Long Math and Science Learners, is to make science and math experiences  so engaging that your child will be motivated to make more discoveries and connections on his/her own.

All of the activities in Creating Life Long Math and Science Learners are open-ended to help your child:

• To explore math and science within the child’s own world.
• To provide age-appropriate discoveries and experiences.
• To provide a positive learning environment.
• To provide hands-on discoveries.
• To develop observational skills.
• To build related vocabulary.
• To formulate strategies for gathering information.
• To evaluate information and formulate conclusions.
• To develop problem solving skills.
• To develop critical thinking skills.
• To create prior knowledge.
• To revisit prior skills and connect them to new skills.
• To understand that science is not magic.
• To help your child to seek out and to extend his discoveries.
• To understand the process.

Many parents mistakenly believe that the best way to prepare their child for math and science is by completing workbooks. However, for young children, workbooks are not the answer. These books are developmentally inappropriate. They lack interaction and have no positive reinforcement. Workbooks are, “canned curriculum,” with a one-skill level fits all. Your child becomes is a passive participant as he/she fills in blank spaces and circles pictures. Children learn best by interacting with the world around them Throw away those workbooks and turn off those computer programs. Creating Life Long Math and Science Learners requires you to play an active supportive role by assisting your child as he/she makes math and science connections and discoveries. Parents need to begin thinking hands-on, and looking  at each child as an individual learner .