Benefits Of Improvised Math Learning Activities For Kids

Teachers are trained to create lesson plans and follow curriculum guidelines. In order to accomplish all of the requirements in a year, planning is very important. But there is also something to be said for improvised math learning activities. These can have a clear purpose, but offer flexibility, spontaneity and a break from the more mundane predictability of math.

Kids enjoy having something new and novel offered to them, especially when they are learning a difficult subject. For teachers, tutors and parents, it can be helpful to introduce math learning opportunities that are improvised and allow you to go with the flow of what kids are enjoying and what is clicking well for them.

Here are some reasons why you should consider allowing more improvised learning time for the kids you are teaching:

1. Kids learn best when they are having fun. When something is enjoyable, you are more likely to remember it and want to do it again. This is especially true for kids when they are learning a new concept in math. If you can get them engaged and having fun, they are much more likely to retain what you teach and the lessons they gleaned from the activities.

2. Adding some excitement makes it more memorable. Similarly, improvised activities can be much more exciting and break up boring lessons. For this reason, kids are more likely to remember what they are taught in these lessons and to want to come back to the learning when it is tied to warm memories. There is nothing better than sitting in a test and recalling the fun day you had learning the topic you are being tested on.

3. Overall attitudes improve when kids enjoy learning. Impromptu lessons are often much more fun. This means that learning becomes more fun. And when kids are having fun, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude about learning math. With better attitudes overall, a student or classroom will be more excited to learn each day and lessons will typically be more productive.

So now you know the benefits of improvised math learning activities for kids, but you may still be wondering some ideas of what you can do. Here are a few great ideas from our local tutors:

● Dice - Bring in several sets of dice and allow kids to make up their own games as they go along. You could provide an example for them to consider, or even give parameters to follow while they create a game of their own.

● Playing Cards - Allows students to use playing cards to make up their own games or have them play specific games that teach the concept you are working on.

● Food - Bring in fun items such as cookies, pies, pizzas, candies and more to demonstrate fractions, grouping, multiplication, mean, median and average and so much more.

When kids are treated to unexpected math activities where they can have fun, explore creatively and try new things, they are more likely to retain the information and feel positively about the subject in the future.