Creating Lifelong Math & Science Learners: A Creative Science and Math Activity Book for Parents

We live in a math and science based world. The math and science skills of American children have been on the decline. School systems have failed to address the science and math needs of children 2-6 years old. Research shows that these children are capable of learning more in-depth math and science skills then they are being given. Everything that a child sees, feels, tastes, smells, or hears is grounded in math and science concepts. Parents must take an active role in helping their children to become math and science literate. The book is filled with age-appropriate activities to help children to make math and science discoveries and connections about their world. The activities are open-ended allowing for participation by children of different skill levels. All of the activities are easy to follow and are based on how young children learn. Parents are encouraged to take their clues from their child's interest. There are suggested ideas as to how to approach and extend activities into further explorations. Creating Life-Long Math and Science Learners clearly puts parents in control. Parents need only open the book to find easy to follow activities to help children to explore the math and science based world around them. The activities are meant to be fun and a natural part of the child's learning experiences. Each major topic begins with Parent Background, Objectives, and a list of suggested vocabulary. Parent Background gives the rationale behind how young children learn specific skills. This section also includes basic facts for parents about the topic. Suggestions are given to help to maximize the child's learning and understanding. Throughout the book, vocabulary building is emphasized. Parents are shown how to incorporate specific vocabulary into the activities, as well as connecting the vocabulary to other daily activities.

For 34 years, Mary Taylor Overton was an Early Childhood Education Specialist, in the Washington, D. C. Public School System. She is widowed and has 2 children, both with advanced degrees in science. She also has 4 grandchildren Zachary, Taylor, Alex, and Justin. It was with her grandchildren in mind that she complied the materials for Creating Life-Long Math and Science Learners.