How we, as teachers, teach math or how we, as parents, help our children with math can make or break a child’s success in mathematics and the many subjects based on it.
A good math experience typically prepares and motivates students to excel in any future math course. A bad experience can turn that same student off to a subject that is not only the basis for well-paying, in-demand careers in science, engineering and technology, but essential for understanding the world around us.
Once a child disengages from studying math, it can be very difficult to catch up. This happens too often to students we know are capable of succeeding at math. The elementary grades are a time when kids firm up values and impressions. We want them to understand math and feel that it’s worthwhile.
We need to offer experiences that encourage elementary-aged children to explore the unknown, tinker with ideas, and satisfy an innate sense of curiosity.
Children need to be asked to understand things, not just memorize them. They need to be encouraged to explore and be curious in everyday activities so they understand that math is everywhere. This kind of teaching can provide the motivation to learn, create, and excel.
How do we help our children become creative thinkers who are capable of solving real-world problems? There are many good answers to that question. One of the simplest is math games. Math games offer children the opportunity to practice problem-solving and teamwork which are disguised as fun.
Games teach or reinforce many of the skills that a formal curriculum teaches, plus a skill that formal learning sometimes, mistakenly, leaves out – the skill of having fun with math, of thinking hard and enjoying it.
Games can provide an atmosphere where children are encouraged to:
• share their ideas with other children and adults
• be alert and curious
• come up with interesting ideas, problems, and questions
• have confidence in their abilities to figure out things for themselves
• speak their minds with confidence
In the process of playing the game, students may develop initiative, interest, curiosity, resourcefulness, independence, and responsibility. Our future needs this kind of creative thinker.
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