This is the third instalment of a 4 part series discussing the importance of visuals when it comes to learning mathematics. (Click here to read the previous part)
As previously discussed, visuals play a significant role in learning mathematics regardless of age or level. Simply introducing your child to visual mathematics at a young age, through finger representation, your child will be able to build a strong foundation in mathematics, a precursor to future mathematical success.
Model Drawing
As your child progresses through their mathematical learning journey, the questions they are faced with are expected to get harder and harder, requiring a higher level understanding and strong foundation of mathematical concepts. “What’s the next step after finger counting ?” This is a common question posed to us, by concerned parents whose children are graduating pre-school. We always say the same thing, “Model Drawing”.
In a 2017 study by Lisa L. Morin, to examine how using the problem-solving strategy, bar model drawing, would impact the mathematical problem-solving skills of students with difficulties in mathematics. A test designed with multiple-baselines and replicated across groups, was used to evaluate the impact of bar model drawing on the student’s mathematical problem-solving performance. The students achievements were then measured in terms of increased correct use of cognitive strategies and overall accuracy of solving math word problems. As expected, the results proved that bar-model drawing is an effective strategy for increasing elementary students’ accuracy in solving math word problems and also improves their ability to use cognitive strategies to solve those problems.
A visual representation of the question
We strongly believe that the drawing of models are a quintessential part of building a child’s foundation in mathematics. By drawing a model, it not just provides a visual representation of the question, but also helps the child understand the question and what they are required to solve. These are just the immediate benefits of model drawing. In the long term, your child will be well equipped with a versatile tool they can use to face challenging problem sums across a wide range of topics and concepts. Furthermore, they will develop a deeper understanding of their mathematical topics which they will carry with them through their mathematical learning journey.
Here at Matrix Math tuition centres, we recognise how important the drawing of models is to the development of your child’s foundation of mathematic. We encourage and teach our students how to draw and visualise their questions in the form of bar-models. We focus on developing your child’s reasoning skills, through teaching them to understand their questions on a conceptual level rather than just memorising how to do it. With this deeper understanding, along with their new found “strategy”, they will be able to solve increasingly difficult problem sums with ease. For our younger students, we focus on helping them learn the basics of model drawing. By putting them through a unique transitional phase, which the teacher will implement based on the strengths and weaknesses of your child, we can aid in the ease of learning and transitioning to basic model drawing. Stay tuned to next week’s article, the final part of our four part series, where we consolidate and conclude the importance of visuals in mathematics. Do subscribe to our mailing list to stay posted on our latest uploads.
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