DH wants to teach our DS set theory. DS is 17mo.

[Herrena]

His exact message:
"Should I teach DS about sets or jump straight in to counting?"

Personally I don't understand why DH isn't happy with teaching DS to count like everybody else, but then my grasp of mathematics is - as he cheerfully informs me - minimal.

I think he's mad. He thinks I don't understand.

Any advice out there?!

sorry, I know that isn't helpful

what exactly was he wanting to teach him?

Are you married to Sheldon Cooper?

As far as I could understand it, he wants to teach DS (DS1, btw) about set theory. We got DS1 some magnetic numbers to go on the fridge and DH was musing over this as we watched DS1 play with attempt to eat the numbers.

DH is currently trying to force some dinner down DS1's neck so he will probably reproach me for the sceptical tone of my posts in a bit!!

whats a set?

Smile and nod and let him get on with it!
Sneakily and subversively teach normal counting (and explain to DH the term PFB!....)

Goldplated - oh, I wish

Well really, good luck to him either way! Your DS will only cooperate for as long as he wants to.

Surely the only logical sensible way of teaching numbers to a toddler is by teaching them one to ten.

Once they have mastered that, go higher.

there is counting and there is counting. Lots of children can say onetwothreefourfive etc but not be able to give you four beans.

Quite right your DH; you are never to young to learn set theory. What does he expect your DS to do with that knowledge? Are you sure he isn't winding you up?

pepperrabbit - we've got DS2 (4mo) coming up fast behind! DH is well aware of MN terminology; I suggested to him that we ask the MN jury and he happily agreed because he believes in the wisdom of crowds except when they think he's wrong, I suspect.

sorry, should have said lots of toddlers rather than children

Goldplated - I totally agree with your viewpoint. DH however does not!

CecilyP - sadly, I am sure he isn't. Life would be dull if he didn't take these things seriously though

Basic set theory is very simple, and fundamental to the understanding of many areas of mathematics, great thing to start off with.

whats set theory?

Just play games, count steps, let him sort toys. These are the foundations for mathematical thinking.

Could someone explain set theory

bitsofme - I'd explain it if I could!!

Oooh that sounds so fun! [maths geek alert] Let him start with set theory, and then report back on his innovative teaching methods :)

yes, I keep thinking venn diagrams

DH is jumping up and down with excitement and says that humphreycobbler and aboutlastnight 'get it'. Make of that what you will

Definitely teach him set theory. Report back please.

Children who are mathematically very gifted do tend to move on from counting to 'sorting' very quickly - i.e noticing patterns, counting in 10's, differentiating between odd and even numbers. Has your DH been reading stuff about maths geniuses

alistron1 - he says he hasn't read such things but that sorting is more basic than counting.

Uptoapoint - oh, I'm not sure I get any input into the matter!

Tell your DH to do some research into play schema. Schema often involve sorting and grouping objects, seeking out shared characteristics. If you and your DH can tailor the learning opportunities you give your child, so that they build on and develop your DS's current schema of choice then your DS will think you are fabulous (and you'll be working with his interests instead of against them IYSWIM).

My DS went through a phase of lining things up - lines and rows appeared everywhere. I followed his lead and also started to line things up by colour, or size etc. Hours of fun .