Friday, December 14, 2012

Number Conservation / Conservation of Mass

L and E (40 months) are really good at counting, but I also want them to have number sense and know they can solve mathematical problems using logical reasoning and intuition as well as standard processes (counting).  We've been doing a lot of "magic tricks" with math lately to work on the concept of number conservation.  According to psychologist Jean Piaget, this ability doesn't develop in kids until 7-12 years, but I think my kids are already catching on to it, or at least asking questions and thinking about the problem.  Here are some of the exercises we've been doing...