7 minutes read
Accept it, you flip through the examples the teacher has solved in your child's copy more often while explaining fraction H.W to him/her.
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| Different Fractions of a whole circle |
Why is that?
Because we use fractions very less in our real life?
Hmm. Really? Is that so?
It just happens that your son has turned 2 and a half and he has finished a quarter of the carrot juice you gave him which was actually one third part water and the remaining two-third part pure carrot juice!
Now let's see the actual fraction "symbols" used in the above sentence that mathematicians have devised to make your life "easier".
2 1/2, 1/4, 1/3, 2/3 ( that's 2 and a half, quarter, one third and two third)
How will you start to teach your son that!
First you yourself have to see the sequence of stages and steps in teaching fractions, deciding when your child is ready for which stage.
First, you must know what's:
- a whole
- a set.
- a quantity.
What is a whole?
"A whole is a one single thing, a roti(bread), an apple, a chocolate, Rs 20, a flower, ANY thing that is not yet divided and is in one piece."
Now looking at the above list of "whole" items, chances are you have to share some part of it with someone (your kids). And that's where fractions come in.
You see if you have a roti (a whole) and you give half of it (fraction) to your son then each of you got half or 1/2. That's called a fraction of a whole.
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| A perfect 'round' roti |
What is a set?
Let's talk about the set.
According to Wikipedia
"In mathematics, a set is a collection of distinct objects, considered as an object in its own right."In simple words, a set is all the apples in 2 kg, a plate of half kg mixed biscuits you bought from the bakery, and a dozen rotis (bread) you cooked for dinner last night.
A part of a set would be 3 apples from 2 kg, 4 biscuits from half kg, half a dozen rotis.
What is a quantity?
Height, Mass, volume, time and it goes on...
Simply put, "anything after which you add a unit." Like for height, you add inches or centimeters.
What's a fraction of a quantity? Let's hear this out.
- You're half my height (or age). (height in fraction)
- It's quarter to three, you're late! (time in fraction)
- Around one-fourth of Earth is land. (area in fraction)
Now that you know fractions of a whole, a set, and a quantity you can teach your kids accordingly.Yes?
3 suggestions to smoothly introduce fractions to your kids.
1- Start early!
No matter what your child age is if he's talking, tell him he'll get half the cookie now and a half after he finishes playing with Lego.
2- Teach sharing
Something our kids love doing with friends and family (or not at all!).
Tell him he needs to cut the brownie in four parts (or you show him) and he has to give one part to each of his 3 friends and one he should eat.
3- Take your kids to the kitchen!
Let them bake or make that roti. The kitchen is the best place to teach fractions. There are now measuring spoons available with fractions written on them so buy those.
Math Matters' Trainers conducted the workshop Fraction Feast in March 2018.
It was designed for kids aged 7 to 12. If you want this workshop in your area, in homeschooling setup, or for school, kindly visit our Facebook page and send a message or email at saima.faiysal@gmail.com
