“Becoming a new parent is thrilling—and often overwhelming. Between sleepless nights and unpredictable routines, we sometimes forget that the early years are when a child’s brain is most eager to learn. I was there too, trying to do everything “right,” not realizing how powerful those everyday moments could be in shaping my son’s future.”
“What began as ordinary playtime and snack routines slowly revealed something extraordinary: my child had a natural affinity for numbers. But it wasn’t about being a “genius.” It was about having the right support, the right tools, and most importantly, the right mindset to nurture that spark.”
Here’s a story of Heather Collins from Calgary, a UCMAS parent and mother of Ethan, who discovered how small actions at home and the right support can help unlock a child’s early math potential.
The Day I Realized My Child Saw the World Differently
It all started with Cheerios.
My son, Ethan, wasn’t even three when I noticed he would line them up in rows before eating them. Not just randomly, in perfect lines of four. At first, I chuckled and thought it was one of those quirky toddler habits. But then it happened with blocks, cars, and crayons. Everything he touched, he grouped, counted, or ordered.
One morning, as we were climbing stairs at the park, Ethan stopped and whispered, “Seven steps, Mama.” He had silently counted them. That’s when it hit me. My child was seeing the world through numbers. I realized I couldn’t ignore this spark—I had to find a way to nurture it.
I Knew I Had to Do Something—But I Had No Idea Where to Start
As a new parent, I didn’t have a manual for this. There was no chapter in the parenting books titled “How to Encourage Your Toddler’s Math Obsession.” I did what any millennial mom would do: I Googled. I searched forums, read blogs, and watched YouTube videos.
One article that stood out was Beyond ABCs: The Value of Early Education. It talked about how foundational learning in the early years sets the stage for future academic confidence. It was comforting to know that I wasn’t alone—that other parents were also trying to make sense of their child’s early skills.
But I still needed practical steps.
Tiny Changes That Made a Big Difference in Our Daily Routine
I didn’t have to transform into a math teacher overnight. In fact, it was the simple changes that mattered most.
We started counting everything: stairs, fruit slices, toy soldiers. During snack time, we played a game: How many crackers are in your bowl? Can you eat three and tell me how many are left?
I downloaded some math worksheets designed for preschoolers. They weren’t intense drills, just colorful, interactive pages that turned numbers into stories. Ethan loved them. He began associating numbers with fun, not pressure.
I even introduced him to basic logic through patterns. We used colored beads and made bracelet patterns together: red-blue-red-blue. Small actions, significant results.
Playtime Became Our Secret Weapon
You know what really changed the game? Play.
I never forced numbers into our schedule. Instead, I infused math into things he already loved. Puzzles that challenged his reasoning. Board games that encouraged counting. Building towers with specific height goals.
But the most powerful transformation came when we discovered a UCMAS Math Camp in our neighborhood during the summer. The structure, the environment, the guidance—everything was designed to amplify what he already enjoyed. It was like giving a budding artist a fresh canvas and set of paints.
There, I learned about abacus-based learning, and the idea fascinated me.
Finding the Right Support—Why We Chose UCMAS
A fellow parent at the camp suggested checking out an Abacus Class through UCMAS. I was skeptical at first—I had grown up with flashcards and blackboards, not beads and finger movements.
But I knew I needed to do my research, so I went through everything, right from the benefits of the abacus to even the abacus mental math glossary. Yeah, I know I kind of overdid it.
But this research helped me understand that the abacus wasn’t just about calculating faster. It also helps activate a child’s visual memory, concentration, and confidence. These classes can make numbers feel less abstract and more tangible.
What happened next was obvious!
We signed up after attending a free info session, and the results were visible within weeks. My child began solving everyday math problems on his own. Grocery shopping turned into a math adventure. He calculated totals before we reached the cashier.Meanwhile, I read another insightful post from UCMAS that I think is a must-read for all first-time parents like me. It was on Practical Ways to Help Children Conquer Math. It emphasized how early exposure to the right tools, like the abacus, can build math resilience. And for Ethan, it really did.
He began requesting math worksheets in the mornings before breakfast. The kid who once thought of math as “just numbers” started enjoying mental math as if it were a puzzle.
Looking Back: What I’d Tell Every New Parent About Early Math Skills
Now, two years into this journey, I wish someone had told me earlier:
- Don’t wait for school to begin the math conversation.
- You don’t need to be a math expert. Just be curious with your child.
- Learning can be gentle, playful, and consistent.
- Programs like UCMAS and their Math Camps can provide structure without taking away the joy of learning.
- Lastly, enrolling in an abacus Class is more than an activity—it’s a mindset shift.
And most importantly, it’s okay to start small.
Today, Ethan still lines up his Cheerios—but now he calls them “units,” multiplies them mentally, and explains the logic behind his arrangement. I look at him and smile, remembering how this all started.
For any new parent wondering if it’s too early to think about math—trust me, it isn’t. Children are absorbing everything, and they are learning all the time, be it from setbacks or grocery shopping. Our job is to give them the right material to absorb.And sometimes, all it takes is noticing how your child lines up their breakfast. If you have already started seeing some such early signs of a math whiz in your child, it’s time you enrol them in UCMAS and give them the exposure they need.
