Am I expecting too much of my student?

Question

I tutor preschool kids and one of my students just isn't getting her numbers. She's 38 months and we've been on 1,2,3 since July. If I'm not expecting too much, does anybody have a different way I can teach her?

Answer 1

As others have said, leave it. Why does she need to know at this stage? What will she gain or miss out on by now knowing? Nothing, I'd bet. It is like early writing, it occurs in stages. She is obviously not ready yet. It is too early to consider any learning difficulties.


The person who said that most children under 4 cannot recognise beyond 1,2,3... My daughter who is 4 next month, knows her numbers up to 10. She can recognise them and count up to 10 objects consistently. But I agree, most can't she is just very mathematical.

Answer 2

You have to try different things. Maybe she's more hands-on. If so, you can fashion numbers using clay or those connecting magnet things. That way, she is engaged in an activity and learning at the same time. Another method is to find songs that incorporate numbers or count as part of the song "This Old Man?"

It could also be that she is just not ready to learn (interest level) and will learn when she is ready.

However, it could also be a learning disability factor. You may want to see whether the local school district has a Child Find program, which is part of the "Part C, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)". Each state that receives Part C funding must also have a child find program that identifies children with a potential disabilities and gets them an assessment, which might lead to some type of early intervention programs where a specialist can get the child back on track.

There are a lot of children who go through such a program and then get back on track and have no other learning problems.

Hope this helped.

Answer 3

I teach children ages 3-6 and can tell you that MOST kids under 4 cannot recognize printed numbers besides maybe 1, 2, 3, but about 80%f them can count up to 10. If you are expecting letter or number recognition, or anything beyond the number ten, wait until they are at least 4 or 5 years old.

For my 3-4 year olds, I have the kids count the numbers on the calandar up to the date every morning during circle time. I have a calendar with velcro on the back and the "designated helper" sticks each new date on the board, then, the rest of the students have to find that number in their "passport" (calendar like personal attendance sheet) and put a sticker on that number. It really helps them with number recignition, but many of them still need help from the teacher (especially the younger ones). Give it time and I am sure he or she will come around!

Answer 4

so she is only just over 3 years old right...gosh some children in year one dont know there numbers, and they are 5/6 year olds. Has the child got a strong interest in something, try to relate this to the teaching. For example if the child is interested in dolls, use dolls as a mechanism for the teaching of number. All children learn in different ways and at different levels, i wouldnt stress to much, be paitent, and focus on what she can do rather than what she cant do.

Answer 5

That depends. She may just not be interested in numbers and counting yet. That would be totally normal. She might not really see a reason to care about quantity at this point in her development. In that case, I would back WAY off. There are lots of other math concepts you could work on for now (patterns, sorting, spatial awareness, etc.). I would try something else and come back to counting in a few weeks.

On the other hand, if she seems very interested in counting with you when you bring it up, but just can't seem to retain the information and make progress, I would think about having the child see a specialist.

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

It can be time consuming at the beginning, but worth in the end ...if you like challenges. Figuring out what type of learner the child is, example...are they visual , auditory, hands-on, a combination, etc. I used colored rock for my daughter when she was in preschool. It is my opinion ...... you are not expecting too much from a preschool-aged child. I believe you are doing a service to that child and preparing him/her for the reality of Kindergarten. It does not get easier for them as they grow older. My daughter is now eight years-old and has enlightened me to this.

Answer 7

This child may not be ready developmentally to recognize numbers. I suggest making counting a part of her everyday life.
For example; count as you go up or down stairs, count how many feet, fingers, eyes,etc... she has. Count at the grocery store, like how many bananas are in a bunch, how many people are in line, as you put the items on the check out count them,etc....

Count everything but do not force her to count as time goes by she will pick up on your doing it and join you. When counting or reading if it is meaningful to the child's life they will pick it up as you go. And speaking of which I also recommend that you read everything too. Like exit signs(any signs), books, cereal boxes, subtitles, etc...

BUT above all have fun don't force it.

Answer 8

Make a game out of it! It sounds like you are doing a good job! Some children just don't develop as quick as others. Find something that this child loves to do, play with? Care Bears, Dora etc. And try to get her involved this way. I strongly believe children learn best through play! So if you make it a game she may learn twice as fast. Make it interesting to her! Good Luck!

Answer 9

Has she been tested for learning disabilities? If so - and she has none - then no - you're not expecting too much. You didn't say what you're doing to teach her - so I don't know what a different way would be. Usually pre-schoolers use worksheets with pictures to learn to count.

Answer 10

Let it go for awhile. Make a game of it. Have her do lots of activities with the number but don't push "learning" them. Trace them with her finger in cornmeal, make them with clay, play counting games, etc.