FAQ

How is a child’s ability to concentrate assessed?

A child’s ability to concentrate is not normally considered before the age of four. Pre-schoolers are capable of concentrating for a few minutes unless they are not particularly motivated to do so. When they start school, they are expected to be able to work on a given task for about 15–20 minutes.

Is the use of tablet computers recommended to children under the age of two?

It depends on the way it is used. When played together with parents, simple and easy-going games work in the same way other toys do.

Can playing games on a tablet help develop a child?

The brain develops by using it. Repeated experiences strengthen certain cell connections. What young children learns and experiences builds their brain in a special way. The early years have an enormous significance. Instructive and motivating play together with parents develops a child’s mind the best.

What other benefit can the use of a computer tablet have for a young child?

Tools in the schools of the future will be digital. Children learn how to utilise the features of the equipment at an early stage when used correctly.

Why are numbers and learning about them so important?

The only way to understand exact quantities is through language and calculation. For example, objects must be calculated by counting them.

Is a one-year-old capable of using a tablet computer?

A child’s development varies in accordance with the individual; some are capable of using simple functions, others not. Young children enjoy hide and seek as well as animal characters, like those found in the 123 Elevator Ride game, for example.

What does a two-year-old know of numbers?

At this age, children understand that various quantities are referred to by numerals. In this respect, only very rough differences in quantities are clear to children. Hulivili games support the beginning of this development.

What does a three-year-old know about numbers?

A child of three knows how to list numerals, but not a sequence in the correct order – and does not necessarily start from the number one. Hulivili games support the right development in this area. The goal of the exercises in Hulivili’s number games is to stimulate an interest in numbers and create pre-school readiness. This is important from the perspective of later learning.

What does a four-year-old know about numbers?

A child of four knows how to count in the correct order and can point out objects to be counted. Using words and pointing things out cannot be done simultaneously, however. A child of about four-and-a-half can say numerals correctly and point out objects that the numeral concerns.

What does a five-year-old know about numbers?

Children aged five can list numerals in the right order. They understand that the last figure describes the total of the units together and that figures are in order of magnitude, so that the larger figure describes a larger total.

Sources

Understanding the Brain: the birth of a learning science, OECD, 2007

From Neurons to Neighbourhoods: the science of early childhood development, Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000; Early Years Study

Putting science into action, McCain, Mustard & Shanker, 2007.

Gallagher, Frith, & Snowling, 2000; O’Connor & Jenkins, 1999

Torppa, Poikkeus, Laakso, Eklund, & Lyytinen, 2006

Lisa Pound, Supporting Mathematical Development in the Early Years, 2006.