Understanding math begins with a solid exploration of your child's world around them. By creatively playing with your child through their dominant learning sense, you will ensure that their mathematical base is solid and understood.

Tactile children like to help so make the most of everyday activities such as tidying up. Rather than putting toys in the same place and the same way, mix it up and have it be a learning experience. For example, today you may ask them to put all the trucks in one basket, or all the red dresses together and tomorrow the cars go in the basket and blue items get placed together. Even mundane things like tidying the shoes can be a learning experience. One day they can be arranged by size, the next by color and the next by activity. Playing games such as hopscotch, or having a "numbers scavenger hunt" will help them to memorize numbers. Simple tasks like handing out items to family members, like napkins at dinner or drinks at lunch, whilst counting, will help make numbers more relevant to their world.

Visual children respond well to specialized counting books, flash cards and counting games such as "I Spy." Asking them to "spy" three yellow objects or four square boxes, requires them to learn all sorts of basic mathematic skills. They like to be organized and have a natural inclination to match things up visually, such as putting all the blue cars together in a row. Expand on this natural pattern recognition, by playing games that have them organize items based on their other senses, such as shape or the noise something makes or the item's purpose. This also will help them learn that there are many different ways to view an item and find a group for it. Make the most of wall charts and the "star reward system." Have them count all their reward stars each time they get one and the easier it is to get a star the more they will need to count.

Auditory children learn through sound so any game that uses a rhyme and numbers or counting will be a delight to them and help them to memorize sequences and numbers. It's important however that they also understand how numbers relate to the world around them. Often auditory children can recite but not understand how numbers are relevant and this can cause problems when it comes to addition and subtraction. Using a more informal approach can help with this and having them count from a variety of sources such as the cars on the street, the steps you walk to get to school or how many girls have pigtails, will help them understand the process. Basic counting and games that require a physical action like hopscotch will help them develop the spatial concept of numbers. Auditory children naturally look for patterns especially in sound, so try counting out syllables and the rhythm of their favorite songs as this will help to get them well on the way to understanding the fundamentals.

Taste and smell children will respond to personal interaction - especially if it is centered around food. You will be surprised how much fun cooking with your child can be and also how educational. Your child will learn to measure when you cook together; she can learn spatial understanding placing the cookie dough on a tray; you can study division by cutting up and sharing of various foods. Even the basics such as counting how many spoonfuls, or setting a certain number of cups or sorting fruits, nuts or even candy will help them learn their mathematical skills. Family events are wonderful times for this sensitive child to practice their number skills. You can ask them to count how many people are to sit down at lunch, or how many are wearing pink cardigans. Be careful not to compare your taste and smell child's skills to anyone else, as they are very sensitive to competition and may give up all together if they think they are not good at something.

Learning shouldn't stop at school and by utilizing fun games that you can play with your child will not only help but also reinforce their basic skills.

Priscilla Dunstan is a behavioral researcher and creator of the Dunstan Baby Language and author of "Child Sense" and "Calm the Crying." She currently works in New York as a behavioral consultant. Learn more about Dunstan at www.calmthecrying.com