Unless a child is naturally gifted, they will most likely find mathematics a difficult subject. Some children will see it as a formidable challenge they can conquer through practice, while some will find little success no matter how hard they try, then lose interest. We can?t modify students? affinity for certain subjects, and that?s fine. What we can do is provide children with a learning method that affords them the highest chance of success.
Math can be frustratingly tough for the average student, but if we make the learning process enjoyable, we can encourage them to persevere and remain enthusiastic. Doing so will give them a better chance at understanding math as they are less likely to give up on the subject early on. This article will discuss various ways of making math interesting and fun.
Gamified math lessons
Certainly, gamifying how we teach children math will make it fun. Aside from being exciting, math games introduce friendly competition and rewards that can further motivate learning. Depending on your creativity and resources, there are countless math games you can invent, but here are some recommendations:
- Card games – Mathematics is easy to integrate into card games, making them perfect as tools for learning. One popular math card game is Math War, where students flip two cards then apply addition, subtraction, or multiplication on both card values. The student who gets the higher total value gets to keep both cards. There is no shortage of math card games using playing cards, but keep in mind to use one that is adequate to the students? skill level. If you have flashcards, you can use them to play Fifteen in a Row.
- Board games – Most children love board games. Fortunately, tons of board games are available that are well-suited to teaching children math. Feed the Woozle, Sum Swamp, and Money Bags are just some of the best math board games out there. When such board games are not available, teachers can get creative and invent their own. For instance, using colored chalks and a pair of dice, a teacher can create an exciting outdoor board game. One such board game can be set up by drawing a winding path on the ground filled with math equations in each step. The students will draw the dice to determine how many steps they will take. If they solve the equation they landed on, they move to it. Otherwise, their turn is over.
- Video games – Most children today are into video games, so using video games to teach them math makes perfect sense. Video games have proven to be engaging and innovative educational tools. As a bonus, children will have no problem learning how to play them as they?re already familiar with the devices used to run them. There are hundreds of math video games accessible online, but some of the best ones are Tami?s Tower, Prodigy, Gravity Simulator, and the classic Sudoku.
Use of modern technology
Modern technology has introduced an entirely new world of teaching methods. The ever-improving accessibility of the Internet and smart devices has made e-learning a truly viable way of learning. In teaching math, the use of modern tech not only makes the learning process a lot more enjoyable it also creates a learning environment children are familiar with.
Modern tech has allowed for online math courses to be as effective as traditional learning. By utilizing the Internet, computers, and educational apps, we make learning math fun and efficient.
Use of visual aids
Stimulating children?s visual senses is essential in teaching math as 50% of their brain is involved in processing visual information. Colorful flashcards and illustrations don?t seem fun standing alone, but when integrated into lessons, they make learning a more pleasing experience for children. With modern tech, teachers are no longer limited to using physical visual aids. Video games and video lessons are arguably the best visual aids teachers can use today. Fun is subjective. Some children may like playing cards, while others may prefer outdoor games. To make learning math fun, the key is to know what one?s students find enjoyable
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