We live in a world of fast information! Many times we do not have a mechanism to adequately respond to a given situation related to optimal data sorting. In the desire to make life easier for ourselves and our children, it happens that we classify some essential things as unnecessary. This way of breaking down into essential and non-essential often traps us.
One of the modern dilemmas of parents is precisely related to calculation operations. Multiplication table maybe YES, but addition and subtraction maybe UNNECESSARY. Do you have a similar dilemma? Many will say: “We have digitron, telephone and other technology, why burden children with these requirements?” This attitude of parents is natural because no one is concerned with explaining why some things are part of basic education and whether they have any benefit on children’s development? As a result of this and similar thinking, 3 big misconceptions arise regarding the learning of elementary mathematics:
- In the era of digitrons, smartphones and computers, basic calculation operations are unnecessary to learn
- The methods of learning the basics of addition and subtraction using a calculator, chips, math cube… are outdated.
- Performing arithmetic operations has no influence on children’s development
We start from the base, that is. the numbers themselves. Numbers are the basic symbols in many calculations and analyses. Their use is inevitable, and knowledge about them, if you want to master certain activations, is mandatory. A number does not exist by itself. We can have 3 candies, 3 shirts, but we cannot have the number 3. Only when a number is connected to another number does it make sense.
One thing is clear, at the base of mathematics are numbers and they are inevitably connected. In order for a child to tackle more complex mathematical tasks and problems, he must gradually enter the world of numbers: starting with counting, through the acquisition of the concept of number to calculation operations. A logical conclusion follows from this statement: our children can use Digitron, smart phone and other technology to calculate the sum or difference of two numbers, but the question is how they will do more complex tasks in later grades . It is generally known that areas in mathematics are connected and that calculation operations, no matter how simple and unnecessary they may seem, represent the most important link in elementary mathematics. After this obvious inevitability, let’s deal with the benefits of memorization. Many people wonder, are there any benefits to this skill? The profession tells us that the ability to calculate by heart deepens the understanding of basic mathematical concepts. Once a student learns math tricks and techniques for quick arithmetic operations, he can tackle sums of math problems more often.
The following should also be kept in mind. Your child will benefit enormously in their intellectual development from rote counting:
1. According to numerous studies, the ease of rote calculation is one of the indicators of your child’s logical intelligence
2. Similarly, a child who is fascinated by numbers from the youngest days and enjoys counting has all the predispositions to develop his logical mind to the maximum
3. Calculating by heart exercises attention
4. Performing calculation operations directly affects the increase in concentration
5. Also, students who have the ability to perform calculation operations in any place without relying on paper, pencil, digitron…, psychologically speaking, have more self-confidence and this ability causes children a great feeling of success and self-satisfaction .
6. Some researches have confirmed that children who solve problems in mathematics very easily deal with problems in life .
Before they can try rote calculation, they need to perfect this skill with the help of various aids. Psychologists believe that in the early stages of learning mathematics, the use of mathematical aids such as tokens, calculators, mathematical cubes… and how they help to understand and visualize the calculation operation! Once children have mastered these concepts, they are ready to learn mental math techniques. When we think about it, all these items are very logical and correct, but the bottom line is this: in order for our child to develop logical intelligence, he must constantly have fun with arithmetic operations, perceive numbers in his environment and relate them. The best way to do this is through play, because psychologists claim that things learned through play are remembered the longest and best! So let’s take a look at the games that help the most with this so-called challenge!
Make a request that the child observes his environment during the day and remembers where he saw the numbers, at the end of the day let him share his observations with you. It will only come to the conclusion that numbers are all around us.
Likewise, you can suggest that he measure the length and width of his room with a welder or his biggest doll or car. In this way, he enters into the problem of different units of measure. Note that in this case the room will be for example 20 welders long, or 25 cars or dolls, but this way it is easy to switch to real units of measurement.