The kids’ favourite festival, Lunar New Year, is approaching real soon and they’re getting crazy over lion dance, dragon dance and drums again.
When a child is motivated to figure out something that matters to him, he’d be hungry to learn.
No need for any worksheets, assessment books or tests.
We happened to be at a mall to watch a drum performance. The events listed:
…
14/2: Dragon dance
…
Vee: “Mummy, which day is the dragon dance?!?”
Me: “Today is 31/1, Saturday. So work out when’s 14/2.”
Vee: “But it’s Tuesday! We can’t go…”
I don’t know how he got Tuesday. Gave him a quick revision on the number of days in a month using hand knuckles as a memory guide:
Jan: 31 days
Feb: 28 days (or 29 days during leap year like this year. 2016 is a multiple of 4.)
etc.
Me (back to the original question): “So 1/2 is on Monday. When’s 14/2?”
Vee: … “Sunday. Next next Sunday!”
Me: “Yup. 7/2?”
Vee: “Sunday!”
21/2? Sunday! 28/2? Sunday!
The Sundays next month happen to be multiples of 7.
Otherwise, just work out using +7.
Me: “That’s why mummy has taught you and your brothers addition and multiplication tables from young. You find them useful?”
Vee: “Yes!”
The above conversation took place during the car ride from the mall back home.
When tucking him to bed, he blurted out, “Mummy, are all even numbers doubles?”
Me: “What do you mean by ‘doubles’?”
Vee: “Like 12 is 6 + 6. 28 is 14 + 14.”
I thought for a while… “Yes, I think you’re right.”
Vee: “I’m going to create worksheets to teach younger children who don’t know this yet and try more challenging math.”
Obviously, I was a pleased mum tonight, glad that he’s developing a mathematical mind and enjoying one of the most beautiful subjects in human history.
Cheers,
MieVee
MummysHomeschool.com
