Send-Home Activities: Ideas for Encouraging Math and Science Experiences

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In today's early childhood programs, there is a growing emphasis on skill-building. Families can become willing partners in providing developmentally appropriate math and science experiences at home. Here are ways to partner with families:

• Through your regular school communication channels - family letters, newsletters, online messages - share information about the math and science activities you are doing in the classroom.   
• If family members work in a job related to math and science, ask them to come for a visit to talk about their work.
• Send home directions for making Oobleck, or other cooking activities, so that families can try them out with children.
  
• Encourage parents to take children on "Shape Hunting Walks." These can be easily done on the way to the supermarket or playground.  
• Suggest that letting children help with chores - such as sorting laundry, pairing socks, putting groceries into sets, and sorting silverware - is a great way to reinforce math skills.
• If possible, arrange a school and family trip to a local children's science or discovery museum. Encourage families to visit their local science resources - children's museums, aquariums, parks, science museums, and botanical gardens.   
• Give parents some ideas for "bathtub science" - providing measuring cups, funnels, and tubes as bathtub toys. They can also provide a variety of sink and float objects - a small rock, a plastic spoon, and other small and large plastic objects.   
• Invite family members into the classroom to participate in activities where extra adults would be helpful.

Barbara Sprung has 40 years of experience in early childhood education. Currently, she is co-director and co-founder of the Educational Equity Center at AED (Academy for Educational Development).

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