How Children Can Learn Math While Playing Games

For some kids, math is a very difficult subject to understand. To make it easier, children can actually learn math while playing. Keep reading to find out how you can do this too!
How Children Can Learn Math While Playing Games

Last update: 11 April, 2019

Learning isn’t just about reading and memorizing. School subjects need to be taught in a meaningful way that kids can understand in an everyday context. In the first few years, you can use different methods to learn math while playing.

By using didactic toys, applications, or different games, kids can learn the basic concepts of geometry, algebra, addition, and more. Next, we’ll show you some useful suggestions that you can use at home.

When you use experiences to learn, kids retain that information much more easily. With each game, kids will use their creativity to solve problems and learn to think abstractly and logically.

In addition, by using games to learn math, kids learn other things as well. For example, they learn more about themselves and the world around them from a critical perspective.

Learn math by playing, thinking and feeling: Numicom

This is a method that the University of Oxford created, and schools in different countries are gradually using it more and more. Numicom uses specific materials so that kids can learn by doing and interacting. 

This resource helps children learn to connect numbers to actual things that kids can play with and manipulate. 

To follow this method, you can use common things that children play with. For example, you can use water, salt, sand, and whatever else they like to play with.

Numicom is great for boosting creativity in children. By exploring and investigating, they gradually learn to visualize what numbers mean.

While children learn math while playing games, they also improve their communication skillsOne of the goals of this game is to share what they found with other people.

How Children Can Learn Math While Playing Games

Ideal games to learn math at home

Here are some good examples of games for learning math:

  • Stacker for counting and sorting: This wooden game offers 55 pieces of different shapes and colors. In addition, it has numbered tiles to relate numbers with objects. It’s best for children over one year old.
  • Montessori stackers: This is a very common game that the Montessori schools invented. Once kids are familiar with the 25 wooden pieces, they’ll start to create new ideas on their own. Therefore, they learn to recognize and associate figures, language, and even fine motor skills.
  • Blocks: These are simple wooden pieces that are a useful resource to learn math while playing. Since they come in different colors and sizes, kids can play and experiment with them starting from an early age.
  • Patterns and blocks: Kids start learning what makes things the same and what makes them different. Additionally, they learn all about geometric figures, symmetry, and abstract ideas. In addition, they teach kids how to make fractions, reduce, and develop spatially.

“When you use experiences to learn, kids retain that information much more easily.”

Additional educational tools

In addition, these resources to learn math help kids develop their fine motor skills, as well as psychomotor skills. Children can start playing these games at the preschool level, and it’s even a good idea to have them nearby for the rest of their lives.

  • Abacus: This is a classic resource for learning to count and perform different numerical operations. They also learn how to group things by colors. Additionally, kids learn the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They can also start playing with this after they turn two years old.
  • Number tables: These help them learn the relationship between units and tens. They’re great to have hanging on the wall. With some patience, parents and grandparents can create some great games to learn math.
How Children Can Learn Math While Playing Games

Applications to learn math through games

Beyond the traditional options, there are also some games your children can play on tablets or mobile phones.

  • Math CileniaEven little kids will learn to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
  • Fun Kids Online Math Games: This is an online game package where children can solve math problems. In addition, they have lots of different levels with some easy and some complex.
  • Math Evolve: This is a fun and energizing game that children love. There are different levels of math problems, and kids can earn points for getting high scores.

In conclusion, you can choose other games in addition to this list to help your children learn math and boost their cognitive development. Often, parents get toys that actually limit their children’s abilities.

Getting toys and games that help kids learn math while playing is an excellent investment. In addition, and better yet, it’s a great source of fun that kids will have for many years.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.