10th April 2014 9:00
By Blue Tutors
A new study has shown that using gestures is the best way for children to learn Maths. The study carried out by psychologists in the US showed that eight year old children better understood mathematical principles if they used their hands during the learning process in addition to their brains. The children studied were asked to point to different sections of simple formulae, using their hands to separate the sections of equations. The results indicated that the children who used gestures during their calculations gained a deeper understanding of the problem, and were better able to apply the concepts they had learned more generally.
The researchers involved in the study said that when children express ideas physically, for instance using their fingers to count or separate side of equations, it helps the learning process. Further, the study suggested that making abstract gestures was a more effective way of learning for children than touching specific objects like an abacus. If children are able to express themselves using abstract gestures, they not only learn to express the particular concept at hand but can also reach a deeper understanding of its application.
In the past, teachers have been encouraged to use objects such as abacuses, pegs and holes in order to help children visualise mathematical concepts. However, new research shows that children tend to get too focussed on the objects themselves, and are therefore not able to concentrate on the deeper, more abstract nature of mathematical concepts. The study concluded that children are able to learn underlying principles from actions taken during classes if their actions can be interpreted symbolically as well as literally.