| When we think about methods for teaching children | | | | There are also manipulatives that teach about |
| math, the first things that probably come to mind are | | | | fractions. These are usually made out of foam or |
| flash cards, repetition and memorization, pie charts, | | | | plastic. They can be used to help the student |
| workbooks, and the like. But one method you may not | | | | understand the relationship between whole things and |
| have thought of, or even heard of, is the use of | | | | parts of things. |
| educational manipulatives and games. | | | | Manipulatives that teach design and patterning skills are |
| What are the benefits of using educational | | | | very popular. Perhaps it is because they are often |
| manipulatives and games for learning math? | | | | used in crafts. Crafting can be fun, but how many |
| First of all, you may be wondering, just what are | | | | children realize they are developing their problem |
| educational manipulatives? Our official definition of | | | | solving skills while they are doing crafts? Pretty |
| “manipulate” means “to treat or | | | | sneaky, huh? |
| operate with or as if with the hands or by mechanical | | | | Another way to enhance learning is with games. |
| means especially in a skillful manner” | | | | We all know children need to learn their math facts. |
| (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). In other words, | | | | Although some children can learn these facts the first |
| it’s doing something or handling something with | | | | time they see them, most children learn by seeing |
| the hands. But how does this relate to teaching math? | | | | them over and over again. They learn by repetition. |
| Well, when you want to teach children about money, | | | | Simply using flash cards or workbook pages can be |
| what do you do? You pull out some coins and some | | | | boring and not very stimulating. |
| bills and you explain how much each is worth and how | | | | But by using a game, children get the needed repetition |
| they relate to one another. This is a hands-on | | | | in an interesting, fun way. And there are games |
| approach to teaching the value of money using | | | | available for all levels of learning. For example, the |
| manipulatives. | | | | game Sum Swamp is for beginners who need |
| Educational math manipulatives are things the students | | | | practice with addition and subtraction. Totally Tut is |
| can actually touch and pick up with their hands. They | | | | another game that gives practice in addition, |
| come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Manipulatives can | | | | subtraction, multiplication and division as well as order |
| give the student a three dimensional hands-on picture | | | | of operation practice. |
| of the concepts they are learning. And, best of all, they | | | | Does your child need practice with logic, strategy or |
| are easy to use. | | | | pattern recognition? Tic Tac Twice is a fun game that |
| Manipulatives are usually cubes, rods, tiles or cards | | | | will surely help. Players use two boards at once. A |
| with or without numbers on them. If your child is just | | | | good move on one board may not be a good move |
| starting out, you would use the ones without numbers. | | | | on the other. Players must place four playing pieces in |
| One example of this is Cuisenaire rods. | | | | a row across, up, down or diagonal on one board. This |
| Cuisenaire rods are a collection of rectangular rods, | | | | game is based on algebraic principles. |
| each of a different color and size. They help students | | | | Geoshapes is a game that is a little more challenging. |
| visualize problems involving fractions and can be used | | | | Students will plan strategies and calculate risk while |
| to teach the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication | | | | getting practice with their math. The goal is to be the |
| and division. After your child learns the basics, then you | | | | first to fill a figure with combinations of geometric |
| can use the cubes, rods or tiles with numbers and | | | | shapes. |
| symbols on them. These are used just like flash cards. | | | | Whatever your child’s learning goals, there are |
| But what if you want to teach about geometric | | | | games and other tools to help. Educational |
| shapes or fractions or patterns? | | | | manipulatives and games are some of the |
| First, there are geometric manipulatives. These can be | | | | often-overlooked tools in our educational arsenal that |
| used to teach children about cylinders, spheres, cubes, | | | | can be used to both teach and entertain at the same |
| pyramids and cones. Some geometric manipulatives | | | | time. While traditional methods of teaching math that |
| are whole. Others are divided into parts to make it | | | | have proven their value should certainly not be |
| easier to demonstrate the adding or subtracting of | | | | abandoned, educational manipulatives and games can |
| those parts. Suppliers of geometric manipulatives | | | | and should be used as a resource to overcome those |
| usually provide an activity book with many lessons to | | | | short attention spans for which most children are |
| help the student understand geometric relationships. | | | | famous. |