Bedtime Math - There's an app for that!

We've all heard countless research on the importance of parents reading to their children.  The question is what about math?  NPR just published a captivating article on just that:  Where the Wild Fractions are: The Power of a Bedtime (Math) Story.

A University of Chicago study suggests that parents doing math with their kids can help to strengthen their kids' math achievement, even if it's as little as once or twice a week.  The article goes on to highlight  the Bedtime Math app, as the place to go for parents to do some math with their children.

So I checked it out and here's the run down:

1.  It's a FREE app!

2.  The problems are organized into levels:

• "Wee Ones" for preschool kids
• "Little Kids" for Kindergarten through Grade 2
• "Big Kids" for Grades 2 and onward (in my opinion it's mainly Grades 3 -5)
• "Sky's the Limit" for really big kids and grown-ups

3.  Each math problem starts with a little story to set the stage, many with illustrations.

 4.  There are three buttons to choose at the bottom of the screen:  Wee Ones, Little Kids, or Big Ones.  All the problems connect with the story scenario and the questions build off each other.  This is perfect for the parent that is sitting with children of different ages - the kindergartner gets to work on the Wee One questions and the 2nd graders tackles the Little Kids questions, all enjoying math together.

Wee Ones

Little Kids

Big Kids

5.  The answers are given - just click on the star!
6.  Sometimes, when the answer is given animations or a bonus question appears.
7.  On the average, there are three new math problems posted per week.  Plus, parents can opt to receive an email for new daily Bedtime Math Problems (just click on the envelop on the home page).
8.  By clicking on the "sorting" link, problems can be sorted by date or by title.
9.  If you click on the star listed before the title of the math problem, it goes to your favorites.  This makes it easy to go mark the problems you want to revisit another time.
10.  Lastly, you can sort the problems by categories.  Animals, nature, sports are just a few.

Of course, the best part of this "bedtime" math routine is sparking a discussion about the math. Asking an open ended question strengthens the child's reasoning skills.  For example:  What the problem asking?  How did you decide to solve the problem?  Does your answer make sense?  What are some other strategies you might try?

Bottom line - It's so easy to use, it's an incredibly engaging way to do some math with your kiddos, and it's free!  So, parents, add some paper and a pencil with this app to your bedtime routine and watch your children's math muscles grow.

By the way, if apps are not your thing, there is a series of three Bedtime Math books available.  So start a new routine and do the math!