Playful learning not only helps children to grasp complex ideas but also helps to foster a love for the subject. With the new focus on ‘Maths Talk’, key ideas and concepts can also be explored playfully in other topics and areas of the curriculum. Teacher author, Gillian, shares her ideas on making maths more playful.
The importance of play in learning
Play is a natural and fundamental part of a child’s development. It enables them to explore their environment, experiment with ideas and understand the world around them.
When it comes to learning tricky maths concepts, play can make abstract ideas more concrete and relatable. It also encourages creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The key benefits of play:
- Enhanced Engagement
- Improved Understanding
- Development of Soft Skills
- Positive Attitude Towards Maths
While there are many resources and online services to pick from that offer puzzles and rewards to ‘gamify’ learning that you may pick from, I feel it is important to know how I can adapt a lesson or planned activity of my own to make it a more playful one.
Here are some of the strategies I use when planning.
Strategies for playful maths learning
Look for ways to incorporate game like or fun elements
Mathematical games are an excellent way to make learning fun and engaging. Board games, card games, dice games and digital games can be tailored to teach specific maths concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division as well as fractions, percentages and place value. For example, games like “Maths Bingo” or “Number Matching”, can help reinforce number recognition and basic arithmetic skills.
If a topic or activity feels dry or unengaging, try to see if there is a way to make it more of a game. Try to avoid using peer competition or prizes though, as that can introduce distracting anxiety for some. Focus on the fun!
Find ways to make the activity interactive or hands on
Hands-on activities allow children to manipulate objects and see the results of their actions, thereby making abstract concepts more tangible and more memorable in the long-run. Activities such as building blocks, puzzles and measuring games can be used to teach geometry, patterns and measurements. For instance, using building blocks to create different shapes and structures helps children understand geometric concepts and spatial relationships.
Every time a construction kit comes out, or a lesson in any subject involves some element of measuring or counting, there is an opportunity for some extra low stakes ‘Maths Talk’.
Use storytelling and role play to bring concepts to life
Storytelling and role play can bring mathematical concepts to life. By creating stories that involve maths problems or scenarios, children can see how maths is used in everyday life.
Role-playing activities, such as setting up a pretend shop where children use play money to buy and sell items can teach them about addition, subtraction and money management.
Even children in middle to upper primary classes benefit from games like ‘shop’; don’t underestimate the power of “simple” games. Multi-buy offers, percentage reductions, profit and loss, inventory management, loyalty points!
Find the maths in art and creative design activities
Integrating art into maths lessons (or vice versa!) can help children visualise and understand complex concepts. Drawing, painting and crafting can be used to teach symmetry, patterns, fractions and so many other maths concepts. For example, children can create symmetrical artwork or use paper folding (origami) to learn about shapes and angles.
I like to call this ‘stealthy maths’. They use and apply the mathematical skills they have because they need, and want to.
Digital tools like Word or design programs like Tinkercad have rulers and measurement scales that can be explored, Here is how you can use the on screen rulers in software like Canva to create scale model scenery! https://teacherscorner.folens.ie/moviemakers-create-a-movie-set-to-scale-using-canva/
Maths is everywhere… embrace outdoor learning
Taking maths lessons outside the classroom can provide new and exciting learning experiences. Nature walks, scavenger hunts and gardening can all be used to teach maths concepts. For example, counting leaves, measuring the height of plants and identifying patterns in nature can reinforce counting, measurement and pattern recognition skills.
Making a simple playground sundial with a stick is a great way to explore time while gaining some appreciation of the movements in our solar system (and the weather!!). Why not make it a permanent playground feature?
A final thought
But what about all the formulae to be learned and remembered I hear you ask! How do I ensure my class will retain them when they move on?
Make it fun!
Make it visual!
Make it hands on!
Make it memorable!
More reflections on play centred learning from Gillian:
https://www.instagram.com/the_glitter_and_coffee_teacher
Leave a Comment