Kids need to learn math early

     By Chris Jones
     View staff writer
      If Ina Mogensen could share one message with the parents of young children, it would be that it's never too early to begin teaching them math skills.
      Mogensen works as a special assignment teacher focussing on math and science for students in elementary schools throughout the Clark County School District. Through the assignment, Mogensen has developed a wide variety of methods which can be used by parents to impart mathematical wisdom to their children at just about any age.
      Best of all, Mogensen said it's a lot easier than most people think.
      "There will be lots of everyday opportunities to teach your kids math if you'll take the moment," Mogensen said. "Our role and what we do at home with the kids facilitates what the teachers are doing in the classrooms."
      Although most parents Mogensen encounters say they would like to see their children's math proficiency improve, they often don't realize the importance of assisting their children with learning mathematics.
      "Even the parents who are really concerned about their kids doing well on (math) proficiency exams at a later age don't always realize there are things that can be done to help them when they are younger," Mogensen said. "Math is a sense-making process instead of just doing what your teacher says all the time. To do well, the children have to think about it.
      "If you want your child to be capable of logical thinking as used in algebra, there are games that can help them," Mogensen said. "Even good old puzzles require logical thinking and can be used to make things like geometry fun for children."
      She offered parents a few suggestions:
     n Save money for a purpose. Use coins and bills to determine the amount saved and the amount still needed for purchases.
     n Use newspapers as a resource. Spend time with children clipping coupons, hunting for numbers and symbols, and analyzing charts and graphs.
     n Estimate weights and costs of produce at the grocery store.
     n Answer children's questions with other questions: "What do you think?" or "Does that seem reasonable?"
     n Playing commercial games such as Hi-Ho Cherry-O, Krypto and Stack, can benefit children of various ages. Games can help to make learning a fun activity for children.
      Mogensen also encouraged the parents to act in unison with teachers and the parents of other students in an effort to develop better math education programs.
      "The younger you start with this, the better (the kids) are," Mogensen said. "But never forget that you, the parents, are the key ingredient for success. If you can encourage others to have something like a `Math Night' or a similar kind of activity to get them thinking about math away from their classes, it can help with our proficiency scores."