Matematyka w szkole podstawowej to nie tylko cyfry. To fundament, na którym stoi cała logika, inżynieria, nawet sztuczna inteligencja. Jeśli dziecko nie zrozumie, co to liczba, lub nie nauczy się tablicy mnożenia w trzeciej klasie, będzie się męczyć przez całe życie. Ale jak zrobić, aby dziecko nie nienawidziło matematyki, a polubiło ją? Zobaczmy na przykładach, grach i horrorach radzieckich podręczników.

Co uczą w klasach 1-4

Program szkoły podstawowej z matematyki jest standardowy. W pierwszej klasie - cyfry, liczenie do 10, dodawanie i odejmowanie w zakresie tego dziesiątku. Zadania jednoakcyjne. W drugiej - liczenie do 100, przechodzenie przez dziesiątki, tablica mnożenia na 2-5, zadania dwuakcyjne, pojęcia «obwód» i «powierzchnia» prostych figur.

W trzeciej klasie - cała tablica mnożenia, dzielenie z resztą, mnożenie i dzielenie wielokrotnych liczb na jedynkę, ułamki (wstępne pojęcia), jednostki czasu, długości, masy, prędkości. W czwartej - wielokrotne liczby (do miliona), działania na nie, równania, ułamki (porównanie, dodawanie i odejmowanie z tymi samymi mianownikami), procenty (początek), zadania na ruch w ślad i na spotkanie.

Wygląda na to, że nie jest to dużo. Ale właśnie w klasach początkowych kładzie się fundamenty myślenia algorytmicznego. Jeśli dziecko nie zrozumie, jak działa mnożenie, nigdy nie zrozumie, jak działa całka. Dlatego nie można ignorować stwierdzenia «To jest proste».

Why children hate math at school

It's not children who hate. Children love to count when it's about candies or toys. They hate the method of presentation. Boring examples in columns, where you have to rewrite 30 identical actions. A teacher with a strict voice, who scolds for a mistake. Fear of «not understanding correctly». Perfect storm.

The second reason is parents who pressure. «You must solve it on five», «look at your neighbor, she managed, but you didn't». The child begins to associate mathematics with danger and shame. The brain blocks logic to protect itself.

The third reason is the lack of visual aids. The textbook says: «3 + 5 = 8». But what are these numbers? Three apples and five pears - it's more interesting. But teachers often save time on pictures.

The fourth reason is the transition through the place in the second grade. This is a stumbling block. The child does not understand why 27 + 5 = 32. Instead of explaining it on counting sticks, teachers force them to simply memorize the algorithm. And children become dumber.

How to explain addition and subtraction with carry

The secret is counting with counting sticks or buttons. Take 27 buttons. Count 10, tie a rubber band - this is a ten. Tie another 10 - the second ten. There are 7 buttons left. Now add 5 buttons. Add 3 to 7 to make another ten. Now we have 3 tens and a remainder of 4 buttons. 27+5=32. The child sees. Understands. Remembers forever.

You can use a mind map: draw a line from 0 to 100. Go right on 5 steps from 27. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. Then practice without a drawing.

For subtraction - reverse counting. 32 - 5 = 27. Go left on 5 steps from 32. 31, 30, 29, 28, 27.

The main thing is not to rush. One topic can take a week. Better slowly but with understanding, than quickly with memorization.

Multiplication table: how to learn without tears

Piaget's table is a curse of primary school. But there are ways to make it easier. The first is visualization. Draw a square 10x10. Write the product in each cell. The child sees symmetry. For example, 5x4 and 4x5 are the same, this reduces the amount of memorization by half.

The second is poetry. «Three on three - nine, this must be checked by everyone». «Twice two - four, this is known in the whole world». You can come up with your own.

The third is cards. On one side the example «3x4», on the other the answer 12. The child checks himself. Game: who collects 10 cards faster.

The fourth is songs. There are plenty of multiplication tables in rap on YouTube. The child absorbs rhythmically.

The fifth is object counting. 3x4 is three times take four candies. The child counts. Tasty and understandable.

Important: do not learn the entire table at once, but in blocks. First on 2, then on 3, then on 4. A break of one to two days between blocks. And repetition: mix old examples with new ones.

Fractions in primary school: when to start

In the first grade, fractions are not mentioned. But in the second-third grades, you can introduce the concept of half (1/2) and a quarter (1/4) on a pizza or cake. Cut the circle into 2 equal parts - each half. On 4 - a quarter. The child understands right away.

In the fourth grade, fractions with different denominators are introduced for comparison. Again, in practice: two-thirds or three-quarters of a cake - which is bigger? Cut circles with different denominators, overlay transparent films. It's visible with the eyes.

Addition of fractions with the same denominators is the addition of pieces of the same cake. 1/4 + 2/4 = 3/4. Easy. For different denominators in the fourth grade, only the simplest cases (1/2+1/4=3/4) are given with the help of a drawing.

Do not require from a fourth grader to abstractly reduce to a common denominator. This will kill love.

Logic puzzles: how to develop thinking

Mathematics in primary school is not only counting, but also logic. Puzzles like «There were 3 sparrows on one branch, two flew in, then one flew away. How many are left?» develop the sequence of actions. It's better to have puzzles with extra data so that the child learns to filter out unnecessary information. «There are 3 apples, 2 pears and 1 banana in the vase. Natasha ate 2 apples. How many fruits are left?» - extra information about pears and bananas.

Logic puzzles with a star: «How many ends are on 3 and a half sticks?». Or «There are 10 sticks on the table. Two boys take turns taking 1 or 2 sticks. Who will win?». This is already strategy.

The best way is chess, checkers, Sudoku for children. Do not impose, but play together. A math circle is also good, but not before 8 years old.

Typical mistakes of parents and teachers

Mistake number one: shouting «You don't understand? It's elementary!». For a child, it's not elementary. His brain has not yet formed neural connections. Your «elementary» is the result of 30 years of practice.

Mistake number two: forcing to solve many identical examples. Better 5 times with explanation, than 50 automatically. Automation will come later.

Mistake number three: comparing with others. «Peter has already solved it, but you haven't». Compare only with yourself: «Yesterday you made a mistake in this, but today - not, good job».

Mistake number four: ignoring mistakes. A mistake is not a failure, but a hint where there is a gap. Analyze the mistake together. Ask: «What do you think, why did it turn out to be 7, not 8? Let's recalculate».

Mistake number five: pressuring time. «Solve it in 5 minutes». Anxiety kills thinking processes. Give as much as needed, but don't drag on.

Mistake number six: making math a routine. Don't do examples after school if the child is tired. Better play in a «shop» (where change has to be counted). Or weigh fruits and compare the weight.

Games and applications for math

On paper: «Battlefield» with coordinates (develops the coordinate system). «Tanki» on a checkered field (movement along vectors). «Mathematical bingo» - a number falls out, you close the answer.

Outside: counting cars, clouds, steps. Measuring distance with steps. Comparing the height of trees. Weighing stones on homemade scales.

In the kitchen: recipes - half a cup of flour, a quarter of a spoon of salt. Portions: you need to treat 5 guests, and 15 cookies - how many for each?

Applications (without links): «Mathematics and Numbers for Children», «Counting App», «Multiplication Table in Games». The main thing is to dose, not more than 20 minutes a day.

Important: no applications before bedtime. The brain should switch.

What to do if a child is mathematically unable

True inability to do math (dyscalculia) occurs in 3-7 percent of children. This is not laziness, this is a brain feature. Symptoms: cannot understand that 4 is greater than 3, even if shown buttons. Confuses numbers 6 and 9, 2 and 5 constantly. Cannot count objects to 10, even counting fingers. Cannot memorize the multiplication table, despite long training.

If this is your case - go to a neuropsychologist and a child psychiatrist. Dyscalculia cannot be cured, but it can be corrected. The child will be given a lenient program, possibly released from the second foreign language. Do not blame yourself and him. It's not a sin. It's a diagnosis.

But more often, «inability» is the result of intimidation or poor teaching. Change teachers, change the approach, take lessons with a tutor who uses games. The result may surprise.

Mathematics and life: why it's important for children

When they grow up, they will count their salary, taxes, discounts in stores. Take a loan or not. Compare prices per kilogram. Understand whether the «two for the price of one» promotion is profitable. But this is not the main thing. Mathematics teaches structured thinking. Do not panic in front of a difficult task, but break it down into parts. Look for patterns. Check yourself. These are skills for life.

Therefore, do not say «math is boring». Say: «math is magic that helps predict the future». And the child will believe. And love.

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