On the Road

increase, decrease, mathematical skill

On the Road



Back to school means for many of us the return to an often routine commute which we might like to ignore.  Many children have what seems like an interminable and boring trip to school , and later in the day they often go on more boring trips with parents or other caregivers.



When our children were young, they spent more hours in the car and on public transportation than we could count.  In fact, children today are almost certain to spend more time in a car than in group play or study after school hours.  Some parents encourage children to isolate themselves in a car by using DVDs or hand-held games in the mistaken belief that keeping children involved in solitary activities will decrease the chances of confrontations.



Say it ain’t so!



Parents may use that travel time to socialize their children and to teach children to be aware of their surroundings and identify the need for familiarity with number and quantity.  Here are some potential activities which may be used collaboratively or competitively on road trips of any duration:



Count the passing SUVs (or trucks or buses or sports cars) over a brief period of time.  Compare those numbers and try to guess why they seem to increase or decrease on different roads or at different times.



Add the digits on a license plate number nearby on the road without writing it.  Ask another person to identify the make and model of the car with that plate.



Look at house numbers and identify whether they are increasing or decreasing.  Try to determine a reason for the increase or decrease in the numbers.



Older children can help by looking at maps and identifying shortest routes.  This is a mathematical skill as well.



Older children may also want to calculate miles per gallon traveled and the estimated cost of filling the tank at a gas station.  



Giving your child the opportunity to see the numerical and quantitative aspects of everyday life may be even more enjoyable than seeing that favorite DVD one more time.  Who knows?   They might even stump you.

increase, decrease, mathematical skill