Touch Math produces multi-sensory maths programmes for pre-K to grade 2 i.e for preschool to year 3 for readers in the UK.
I was offered the chance to review the pre-K curriculum with Youngest Son.
The programme itself is downloadable. The pre-K has six modules
- Counting and number sense
- Comparing and classifying
- Sorting, classifying, graphing and patterning
- Identifying, sorting and classifying 2-D shapes
- Identifying, sorting and classifying 3-D shapes and coins
- Representing quantities and numbers
I found the algorithm about how long to spend on Touch Math per day particularly useful: the child's age multiplied by 2 1/2 minutes. This means that they suggest 10 minutes per day for my four year old which is sensible and achievable. We have been using the programme for 10 minutes, five days a week.
The programme is carefully scripted with pre-activities and workmats. Activities around the workmats are also scripted e.g. Point out objects that are under/below and over/above in the room. Some of the workmats require colouring but others putting a circle round or a cross through an object.
Each module has an end workmat as a test and suggestions for module closure.
The Pre-K curriculum is supported by some fabulous manipulatives.
The manipulatives are high standard and well designed.
The 3-D Numerals are beautifully made with different textures on the correct number of points to encourage one to one number correspondence.
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The Touch shapes can be used in so many different ways from classifying to counting to making pictures besides the obvious work on shape. They can also be used in some of the workmats.
The Texture cards re-enforce the Touch Numerals. There are five sets featuring
The manipulatives are high standard and well designed.
The 3-D Numerals are beautifully made with different textures on the correct number of points to encourage one to one number correspondence.
,
The Touch shapes can be used in so many different ways from classifying to counting to making pictures besides the obvious work on shape. They can also be used in some of the workmats.
The Texture cards re-enforce the Touch Numerals. There are five sets featuring
- animals
- sea life
- fruit
- touchpoints
- shapes
My thoughts about the programme
The workmats are clear and well designed.
The scripted programme would be great for anyone who lacks confidence in teaching maths
Some features are designed for schools such as mark sheets for multiple children and end of module tests. I'm not really into testing 4 year olds although Youngest Son had no idea that the workmat he was doing was a test.
The start was slow with the first module working on counting and understanding 1:1 correspondence to five. Youngest Son has been able to do this for some time, from casual maths around the house, so this was a little frustrating at times. There was a fair amount of repetition within the sheets which is useful for a child who is still learning the concept but seems a little excessive for many pre-schoolers. However, I appreciate the early introduction of graphing and look forward to teaching Youngest Son this part of the programme.
The money section uses dollars and I wouldn't use this with a young English child.
The scripted programme would be great for anyone who lacks confidence in teaching maths
Some features are designed for schools such as mark sheets for multiple children and end of module tests. I'm not really into testing 4 year olds although Youngest Son had no idea that the workmat he was doing was a test.
The start was slow with the first module working on counting and understanding 1:1 correspondence to five. Youngest Son has been able to do this for some time, from casual maths around the house, so this was a little frustrating at times. There was a fair amount of repetition within the sheets which is useful for a child who is still learning the concept but seems a little excessive for many pre-schoolers. However, I appreciate the early introduction of graphing and look forward to teaching Youngest Son this part of the programme.
The money section uses dollars and I wouldn't use this with a young English child.
The cost of the programme
The downloadable pre-K curriculum costs $59.95 which is £40.15 as I write.
It is possible to use the curriculum without manipulatives although the Touch shapes are used in the suggestions for pre-activities and are helpful with some of the work mats. Of the three manipulatives that we used, these were the most important.
The Touch Shapes cost $30, again, this is £20.09 today.
3-D numerals are $79 (£52.91) and the texture cards $99 (£66.31).
I love those 3D numbers if I knew about them when my children were younger I would have gotten them. Alas my children are too old for this program, great review
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