Khan Academy Kids Maths
Where is language hiding in Khan Academy Kids maths talk prompts?
Give adults simple questions to ask while a child plays.
Quick answer
Language is hiding in Khan Academy Kids maths talk prompts because the app uses words to guide children through counting, comparing, sorting, and solving problems, helping them build both maths and language skills at the same time.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how to listen for and use the language in Khan Academy Kids maths activities to help your child learn more maths and more words at the same time.Why this matters
When children play Khan Academy Kids, they are not just doing maths – they are also hearing words that help them understand what to do, how to think, and how to explain their thinking. These words are like clues that help them grow in both maths and language. As a parent or carer, you can use these clues to help your child think harder and talk more about what they are doing.How it works
Khan Academy Kids uses words in its maths activities to:- Ask questions that help children think
- Give instructions for tasks
- Describe what children are seeing or doing
- Encourage children to explain their answers
Examples you can see
Let’s look at a few examples from Khan Academy Kids that show how language helps with maths: Example 1: Counting with words In one activity, a child might see 5 apples and hear the app say, “How many apples are there?” The child says, “Five apples.” This helps them connect the number to the object and builds vocabulary. Example 2: Comparing with words In another activity, the app might show two groups of blocks and say, “Which group has more blocks?” This helps the child learn the word “more” and understand how to compare. Example 3: Describing shapes A shape activity might say, “Can you find a circle?” Then, “What does a circle look like?” The child says, “It is round.” This builds both shape knowledge and language. Example 4: Problem-solving with words A problem might say, “You have 3 cookies and eat 1. How many are left?” This helps children learn to solve problems using words and numbers.Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Word Detective Game You are a detective looking for words that help with maths in Khan Academy Kids! 1st time: Open the app and look for a counting activity. Listen to what the app says. What number words do you hear? 2nd time: In a sorting activity, listen for words like “more,” “less,” “same,” or “different.” What do they mean? 3rd time: In a shape activity, listen for words like “round,” “flat,” “long,” or “tall.” What do these words tell you about shapes? 4th time: In a problem-solving activity, listen for words like “left,” “more,” or “fewer.” What do they help you do? 5th time: After each activity, ask your child, “What did the app tell you to do?” or “What words did you hear that helped you?” This game helps you and your child notice how words are used to guide maths learning.Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that the words are just extra. Why it happens: Parents might not notice the language in the app. Fix: Listen carefully and ask your child to repeat what the app said or explain what they did.
- Mistake: Not asking questions about what the child is doing. Why it happens: Parents might be too busy or not sure what to ask. Fix: Ask questions like, “What do you think this word means?” or “Can you tell me what you did?”
- Mistake: Thinking that language is separate from maths. Why it happens: Some adults think maths is just numbers and not words. Fix: Remember that words help children understand numbers and solve problems.
Parent and carer guide
You can help your child learn more maths and language in just a few minutes each day:- Listen to the app’s talk prompts and repeat the words with your child.
- Ask questions like, “What did the app say?” or “Can you tell me what you did?”
- Use the same words in your everyday conversations. For example, if you say, “There are more toys here,” your child will connect that to the app.
- Encourage your child to explain their thinking. For example, “How did you know that?”
- Notice how the app uses words like “more,” “fewer,” “same,” “different,” “longer,” and “shorter.”
Practice questions
- What word does the app use to help you compare groups? Answer: More, fewer, or same.
- In a shape activity, what might the app say to help you find a circle? Answer: “Can you find a circle?” or “What does a circle look like?”
- What does it mean when the app says “How many are left”? Answer: It is asking you to subtract or take away.
- What kind of words help children solve problems? Answer: Words like “more,” “fewer,” “left,” “same,” and “different.”
- How can you help your child notice the language in the app? Answer: Listen to the talk prompts and ask questions like “What did you hear?” or “What did the app tell you to do?”
FAQ
What is Khan Academy Kids?
Khan Academy Kids is a free app that helps children learn maths, reading, and other skills through fun games and activities.
How does the app use language to teach maths?
The app uses words to guide children through counting, comparing, sorting, and solving problems, helping them learn both maths and language.
Why is it important to listen to the talk prompts?
Because the talk prompts help children understand what to do and how to think about maths problems.
Can I use the words from the app in everyday life?
Yes! Words like “more,” “less,” “same,” and “different” are useful in many situations, like sharing snacks or comparing toys.
Do I need to know all the maths to help my child?
No! You just need to listen, ask questions, and talk about what your child is doing. The app does the rest.