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Young children are little sponges, ready to absorb anything and everything you can give them. Parents don't need to sit down and have lessons to engage and stimulate little brains; just going through your day, verbalizing your actions, and playing WITH your child will help them develop both math and language skills. Of course, when we're talking about "young children," that encompasses a huge span of understanding.

Your 18-month old can probably count toes with you, but probably isn't ready to count backwards. Think concepts. There are a million things to count in the course of day. Go from counting socks and shoes as they go on feet to counting toes. As the child's understanding increases, take turns with the numbers so you are skip-counting odds and evens.

Young ones can fathom and begin understanding fraction vocabulary by cutting an apple or sandwich in half. Progress to fourths of a cookie or eighths of a candy bar. (Hershey or Symphony works best and is this mama's personal favorite!)

Little ones can learn to count to twenty while washing their hands. Later on, set a timer and watch the numbers go backwards while brushing teeth.

Teeny ones can be alongside you in the kitchen for simple, safe tasks like washing grapes and other produce or using a table knife to slice cookie dough. As they get older, make time to TAKE your time preparing meals or treats and allow them to help measure and prepare. Talk about what you're doing and forget about neatness. Let them explore the flour, salt and oats with their clean hands while you're making cookies. Talk about the textures. Let them taste.

Communication, exploration and involvement are so wonderful for these little minds. When you play with them, include them in all the different aspects of your life, their skills will naturally develop. Remember, their playing IS learning, and their learning ought to be playing.

Learn more about this author, Allison Claridge.
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