Doing math quickly and easily in your head isn’t just a cool party trick. Strong mental math skills makes learning new math easier. Even in daily life, strong mental math skills are helpful for things like figuring out a good value at the store or adding tax and tip for a service. Students with strong mental math skills get emotional and motivational benefits.
Strong mental math skills and numerical fluency help students feel more confident in math. Children with weak mental math skills sometimes develop math anxiety. Of course, the more confident you feel about your skills, the more motivated you are to do more of it. The more you do something, the better you become at doing it. It's a self-perpetuating cycle of success!
Unlocking Mental Math using a Visual Approach
The best way to develop strong mental math skills is to understand the concepts of the foundational math skills. A visual approach is a great way for children to internalize the foundational concepts and develop strong mental math abilities. A visual approach uses pictures along with, or instead of, symbols and words. Some people incorrectly perceive using pictures to do math as being just for young children.
Using pictures is a great strategy for young children because they struggle to think symbolically but visualizing math goes far beyond that. Some of the most advanced mathematicians think about advanced math topics in pictures. Albert Einstein has many quotes about visualizing mathematics, including “An attempt at visualizing the Fourth Dimension: Take a point, stretch it into a line, twist it into a sphere and punch through the sphere.”
Mathnasium of Parker and Mental Math
We strongly encourage math students to develop their mental math skills. We include using visuals and manipulatives to teach mathematical concepts. When you touch and see a mathematical concept, it is easier to apply it mentally. This is a different approach than most tutors and other math centers use. Come see what makes Mathnasium of Parker special. Give us a call today!
Related Mathnasium of Parker articles you may want to read:
Every Child at Mathnasium of Parker Gets Recognized for Achievement
Something to Consider if Your Elementary Age Daughter Has a Female Teacher
Use Praise Correctly to Increase Math Confidence
Why Does Mathnasium of Parker Love Math Games
Choose a Personalized Strategy to Reach Your Math Goals
Solving Math Problems Strategically
Manipulatives Help Kids Understand Math Concepts
Even Teenagers Benefit from Concrete Math
This is copyright protected. Mathnasium of Parker has permission to use it. Other Mathnasium locations should purchase it at https://hdwrite.com before using it.
