Helping Your Pre-Schooler With Math - Even and Odd Numbers

Helping Your Pre-Schooler With Math - Even and Odd Numbers

Now, ask your child if he/she thinks this--separate groups of 2 with nothing left over--is true for every even number? Test as many evens as it takes for your child to say YES. Even numbers always separate into groups of 2 with nothing remaining. They separate evenly. (This is beginning the concept of division and remainders, but don't say that either.)

What about the odd numbers? Pick one--7. Separate into groups of 2. Oh! Still 1 left over. Write on the white board: 7 is 3 groups of 2 + 1. "That's odd." "Let's try another. 15 is 7 groups of 2 + 1. There it is again. Is this--separating into groups of two but having 1 left over--always true for odd numbers? Practice until your child is sure.

Erase the whiteboard for a summary. Write out the even numbers up to 20 and these two observations: (1) even numbers always separate into even groups of 2, and (2) even numbers always END in a 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. Now ask a few questions like "Is 36 even?" Yes because it ends in a 6. Is 17 even? No, it doesn't end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.

Now, add to the whiteboard the odd numbers to 19 and these two observations: (1) odd numbers cannot be separated into even groups of 2 because there is always 1 left over, and (2) odd numbers END in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9. Is 24 an odd number? NO, it doesn't end in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9. Is 21 an odd number? Yes, it ends in a 1.

Do you need to do all of this in one day? No. Do number comparisons one day. Evens another day. Or just do a tiny bit each day. Just keep things easy and your child successful.

Will your child remember this tomorrow? Some will, some won't. Don't expect it and you might get surprised. The concepts of even and odd are important, so just keep practicing. When your child is answering questions correctly without having to use the coins, then you can start looking for even and odd numbers where ever you go. But don't do that until your child has a very concrete understanding of even and odd.

Shirley Slick, "The Slick Tips Lady," is a retired high school math teacher and tutor with degrees in Mathematics and Psychology and additional training in brain-based learning/teaching. Her goals: (1) to help parents help their children with math, (2) to help eliminate the horrendous Algebra failure rate, and (3) to inform the general public about problematic issues related to the field of education. For your free copy of "10 Slick Tips for Improving Your Child's Study Habits," visit her website at http://myslicktips.com/

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