The Importance of Math Manipulatives
The Importance of Math Manipulatives
Manipulatives are vital to student learning. When students are able to be hands-on within their learning, they will absorb and understand information better. Manipulatives give students the chance to explore different ideas and new concepts. Children love to play and manipulatives give the chance to learn through play. Manipulatives with math are especially important because they allow the child to "see" numbers through objects instead of on a screen or paper. Math manipulatives with younger students allow for the exploration of different methods and allow the child to visual their math problems.
Unifix cubes allow for students to visualize number groups. These cubes are great for working with groups of tens and comparing/contrasting number.
Counters are a great way for students to explore counting. Students are able to problem solve through visualizing their numbers as physical counters.
Using counters is a great way to teach Number Bonds. Students are able to visualize each part of a number. These work best with addition problems.
Counters can be used for addition, subtraction, grouping, and solving real life application problems. Students are able to visualize each number and physically see the number sentences they are creating.
