Math skills are essential for children’s academic success, problem-solving, logical reasoning, financial literacy, and cognitive development. However, due to gaps in instruction at school and at home, this critical building block is often missing. By mastering math skills, children sharpen their cognitive abilities and can solve complex challenges with clarity and precision. But math education isn’t just about numbers; it’s about developing a robust mental framework that enables children to excel academically and succeed in multiple facets of their lives.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Sripurna Sarma, Principal of Ryan International Academy, Sarjapur, spoke about the factors that are crucial in nurturing well-rounded personalities:
1. Attention difficulties – Complex mathematical procedures can overwhelm students, leading to distraction during lessons and difficulty in self-assessment. The complexity of these concepts often causes students to lose concentration, making it difficult for them to independently assess their understanding.
2. Mathematics always builds on previous concepts. Mathematics is based on sequential learning; difficulties with previous concepts can hinder understanding of new concepts. For example, mastering division is crucial for reducing fractions. Likewise, algebra builds on arithmetic skills. Students are often hesitant to ask questions when they are already struggling, contributing to a vicious cycle of misunderstanding.
3. Concepts are learned but not understood – Students often learn arithmetic operations through repetition without understanding their deeper meaning. For example, memorizing multiplication tables such as “4 x 4 = 16” does not necessarily mean that one truly understands multiplication. It is more likely to be memorization that lacks a deeper understanding of the concept.
4. Lack of patience – Sometimes a student feels like he or she has understood the concept, but when trying to solve the task on his or her own, he or she does not know where to start or stop, causing him or her to struggle throughout the process.
5. “When will I ever use this?”- Many students have difficulty recognizing the practical application of math skills outside of the classroom. Difficulties with fractions, such as converting 1/2 to 0.50, illustrate this discrepancy. However, they easily understand concepts such as “half of ₹100″ corresponds to ₹50, and illustrates the challenge of relating mathematics to real-world situations.
Mathematics is accessible to all; success depends on practice, not just natural talent. A positive attitude is crucial to success.
Empowering young minds: discovering mathematics for yourself
Sharing her expertise, Shobha Sivaramakrishnan, Director of Ekya Learning Centre at Ekya Schools, explained: “When it comes to improving children’s mental focus and overall cognitive skills, the central role of mathematics knowledge cannot be overlooked. The Singapore Math methodology provides an effective approach that not only teaches mathematical concepts but also promotes critical thinking, problem-solving and mental discipline.”
She added: “When children engage with mathematical concepts, they train their minds in logical reasoning, pattern recognition and analytical thinking, all of which are fundamental components of mental concentration. The practical application of these skills in real-world situations further underscores their importance for mental concentration and demonstrates the tangible benefits of mathematical competence.”
When students develop good mathematics skills, they gain the ability to:
1. Analyze and solve complex problems: Children learn to break complex issues down into manageable pieces, using logical thinking and mathematical principles to find solutions. This skill is invaluable in all areas of life, from managing personal finances to understanding scientific challenges.
2. Think critically and make informed decisions: Good math skills enable children to critically evaluate information, assess the validity of arguments, and make decisions based on quantitative data, preparing them for leadership roles and responsible citizenship in a data-driven world.
3. Be innovative and create: By understanding the basic principles of mathematics, children learn to innovate and find new solutions to real-world problems. This skill is critical for future scientists, engineers, technicians and entrepreneurs in an ever-evolving global economy.
4. Communicate effectively using quantitative information: By engaging with mathematics, students learn to present and interpret data clearly and convincingly – a skill that is becoming increasingly important in a world of information overload and in which data literacy is a key competency in many careers.
5. Adapt flexibly to new challenges: A solid foundation in mathematics teaches children how to learn and adapt to new situations. They become more flexible in their thinking, can apply their knowledge in different contexts and take on challenges with confidence.
The importance of mathematics for your child’s development
Neelakantha Bhanu, CEO and Founder of Bhanzu, said, “Many parents are surprised to learn that up to 75% of students suffer from math anxiety. One can overcome math anxiety by experiencing math in a different way than the traditional learning method.”
People keep asking why 3 out of 4 students don’t like math as a subject. Neelakantha Bhanu said, “My years of experience teaching math and creating curriculum have proven that it can improve your child’s confidence and problem-solving skills. It is a mental workout that engages multiple areas of the brain and improves cognitive skills. We as parents can take steps to incorporate math games, puzzles and hands-on activities into our child’s daily routine to promote cognitive development and mental well-being.”
By developing strong mathematical skills, students gain the ability to
1. Unlock Speed Math: This skill comes with practice and develops students’ ability to not only calculate faster but also build their confidence in math. Students can calculate up to 4 times faster and have made tremendous progress. Speed Calculations have also helped them academically.
2. Smooth multitasking: Not everyone excels at fluent multitasking. Some find it overwhelming and find productivity decreases when they have to do multiple things at once. However, by engaging in math early, you can train your mind to focus on the present moment and improve your ability to switch between tasks with less mental effort, giving you a competitive edge over other students.
3. Paradigm adjustment: In a data-driven world, math is the language of the future. By teaching your child good math skills, you not only give them a head start in school, but also empower them to become architects of the world of tomorrow. Math creates thought leaders who can adapt to change. It not only teaches you specific skills, but also strengthens the cognitive foundation for adaptability to paradigms.
4. Build your problem-solving skills: Solving math problems is like training for a mental sport. Just as athletes train their bodies, math problems become a workout for your brain. Every problem you solve strengthens your mental muscles – logic, problem solving and critical thinking.
5. Practical applications: Good math skills can encourage students to explore the math around them. With the right guidance, students can apply what they learn and understand how the world works through the lens of math.
