These strategies involve whānau playing fun mathematical games that support mathematical learning.
Strategies to support mathematical learning
Who is it for?
New entrants and primary/intermediate age group learners.
How can it help?
Playing fun mathematical games is one of the most powerful and positive ways in which families can support mathematical learning. They provide a rich bank of informal and intuitive understanding of rational number concepts and procedures.
How does it work?
Interaction with a supportive adult involves:
- exploration of mathematics ideas through a range of imaginative and real-world familiar contexts e.g. games; both planned and spontaneous
- incorporating the child’s ideas about number concepts and using the child’s informal language in the adult questions and conversation to extend the child’s mathematical thinking
- repetition of the familiar context to explore the child’s ideas further.
Learn more about how games can support mathematical learning
Case 19: Use fun games to build mathematical knowledge and confidence in young learner - from BES Effective Pedagogy in Mathematics / Pāngarau (by Glenda Anthony and Margaret Walshaw). This case study demonstrates how parents/whānau can support tamariki to develop deeper understanding of fractions by playing informal language games.
Based on the research of Kieren, T (1988) AND Sharp, J., Garofalo, J. and Adams, B. (2002).
This link Maths our house games - NZ maths website is a good starting point for games you can play at home to support mathematics learning.