Memorizing math facts is a must for success, yet many students struggle. It isn’t because these kids don’t have brainpower. They’re bored. They haven’t developed connections between the math facts they need to memorize and how to apply them to everyday life. Raw number strings are meaningless for many of us. The secret is putting number facts into context and making the process of memorizing them fun.

Math Is Play

“Mathematics is known as cold, logical, and rigorous, but the subject doesn’t get enough credit for its true mischievous spirit, which is well-hidden from the world,” says Matthew Oldridge, an educator.”

In his TedX talk, “Math Is Play,” Oldridge says that math should be full of surprise, wonder, and play for all kids. “​What if every kid said, ‘math is surprise and wonder, and playing with numbers’? What if every kid said, ‘math is play’? All kids should feel the power and pleasure of playing with big and powerful mathematics ideas.” 

A Playful Approach to Practicing Math

Here are four teacher-tested, playful ways to make learning math fun in and out of the classroom:

  1. Have a ball! Beach balls, paper plate flowers, sidewalk chalk, and more! This article has 20 Totally Fun Ways to Practice Math Facts. You’ll be inspired by this robust list of simple, super engaging ways to make math fun. Want more fun ideas? Check out these teachers’ playful ways to help students practice math.
  2. Make math a game. Popular board and card games, like Uno and Monopoly, can help kids with math. So can video games, according to Andrew Lee. Math games are a fun way to practice math skills, and they can help kids feel less anxious about math. Teaching times tables with stories, songs, games, and activities help lower anxiety levels and make math fun. Once a student associates learning and practicing their math facts with fun, they are exponentially better able to succeed at learning times tables.
  3. Leave math stress behind. If the thought of doing math gives your students anxiety, they’re not alone. Studies have shown that math anxiety occurs in students as early as elementary school, and can continue into their college years. The good news: there are plenty of ways you can reduce math anxiety by making math learning fun.
  4. Play math at home. Help parents make math practice part of everyday life by turning every room in the house into a math playground. Kids can practice math everywhere!

How You Teach Makes All the Difference

Learning to multiply is foundational to developing more advanced math skills. While the content you teach is crucial, sometimes the way you teach it is just as important. When math is fun, the facts become memorable. And when kids feel successful at math, they have fun and are eager to learn more.

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