Teaching with math manipulatives helps children understand math concepts. Hands on learning, or learning by doing, keeps your students’ attention as they naturally want to play with and explore objects.
When children can touch and move manipulatives or real things when learning new skills, their senses are involved in the learning experience. They notice, experiment, question, and connect ideas. Children benefit when they are able to fully understand new concepts with concrete materials before they are expected to understand the same ideas with symbols.
Hands on Math 1, 2, 3s
Stages of hands on learning in math are often called:
- concrete
- representational or connecting
- abstract
The terms “concrete materials” and “manipulatives” are most often used to describe educational learning materials that are real or physical and tangible, for example, blocks, counters, popsicle sticks, pattern blocks, and base ten blocks.
- The “concrete stage” occurs when children use only real objects to demonstrate an idea.
- The “representational, connecting or pictorial stage” happens when children work with concrete objects as well as drawing pictures or diagrams to record their learning.
- The “abstract” stage occurs when children use only symbols - numbers, words, pictures, or diagrams to represent their thinking.
Manipulatives are crucial to the early development of mathematical ideas for young children. It may take a bit of practise to learn how to teach with them, especially if you are used to using worksheets. Create a fun and educational math learning center, where children are free to explore the manipulatives first.
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