A Look at Learning: Math & Numeracy
At Starling English School, we believe children learn best through play, hands-on experiences, and tactile representations. This is no different when it comes to learning early math and numeracy.
Children learn through naturally discovering what is already around them, and they develop a sense of what numbers are as they explore counting and naturally assigning order to objects in their daily lives. At Starling, we support this natural discovery by dedicating daily practice and attention to number and number sense, shapes and spatial awareness, patterns and pattern recognition, measurement and comparison, and early problem solving.
Our curriculum is designed to incorporate each of these practices in a repeating cycle throughout our calendar year, with a wide array of themed activities. Children delight in the unique activities and experiences that help them discover the wonderful world of numeracy, while also learning important life skills that will aid in their future development.
How Starling Supports Number and Number Sense Discovery
Numbers and number recognition are introduced as seamlessly as letters in the alphabet, and like them, they are reviewed daily. Children are introduced to the value of each number through systematic practice.
Through guided practice and discovery, they learn to count in English from 0 to 20 throughout their time in school. They are also taught to recognize and name numbers in English, as well as to use numbers and counting integrated into play to solve real-world inquiries.
We also use targeted practice to match numbers to quantities and to understand the concepts of having more, less, or the same quantities of various objects. We do this using objects that the children are already interested in, such as small toys, pom poms, leaves, and blocks. We find that this approach naturally supports the children’s inner world and fosters a welcome curiosity for the world around them.
How Starling Supports Shapes and Spatial Awareness
At Starling English School, we love shapes. The children are shown shapes regularly and are able to interact with them in a tactile way as well. They are encouraged to see shapes throughout the classroom and in their natural world.
It is not uncommon for a Starling child to find a rock or another object outside and rush to the teacher explaining that they found a shape. They are able to recognize and name basic shapes, from circle to octagon. Songs and sorting games encourage further integration with shape recognition and appreciation.
Building toys such as blocks, Lego, and construction puzzle toys support early geometric and STEM development. The children become well versed in positional words such as over, under, next to, and behind, as the natural format of the English immersion classroom uses this language in daily instructions.
How Starling Supports Patterns, Measurement, Comparisons, and Logical Thinking
Another fundamental element of early introduction to mathematics is patterns, measurement, and comparison. Early introduction to these topics allows children’s logical thinking to develop.
At Starling, this is fostered through repeated instruction, as well as games, songs, and hands-on activities. Logical thinking becomes essential when children need to remember the order in which to do things throughout the school day, such as routines and sequences that help them grow into independent thinkers and learners, which are signature to our school.
They are also subtly shown logic in the way the school curriculum functions, allowing them to understand the natural order of the world around them. More direct instruction in these topics comes from children being able to create patterns of their own, measure objects, and utilize comparisons such as bigger, smaller, more, and less.
How Starling Supports Early Problem Solving
Like adults, children are confronted with thousands of choices to make each day. They are consistently trying and testing the world around them, deciding which choices lead to favorable versus less favorable outcomes.
We teach children independence in their choices, as well as support those choices with logical consequences. This builds confidence in our children and allows them the autonomy to decide for themselves what kind of day they want to have.
In instruction, we teach problem solving with a direct approach, and children quickly learn that mistakes are inevitable, and that it is what we do after them that determines the kind of person we are. Teaching the whole child means that every element of the school day supports our ultimate goal, to rear independent and confident children who will eventually grow up to shape the world in which we live.
Want to Learn More?
Discover how Starling English School fosters confidence and curiosity. Contact us to schedule a visit or learn more about our early childhood programs in Rome’s Balduina neighborhood.
