Seeing my kid approach primary school age got me thinking about my old frenemy from school (mathematics), with hopes that he might find a friend instead of a foe in it.
My relationship with mathematics as a subject was complicated. While I didn’t dread it like some of my peers did, I didn’t exactly enjoy my math classes or excel in the subject either. To sum it up (pardon the pun), I tolerated math.
It was my kid who got me thinking about my past struggle with math. With Primary 1 just a year away for him, I found myself hoping that my son will have a more positive attitude towards math than I did. Not just because it’s a core subject in school, but more so because math (or numeracy) is an essential skill that everyone needs – be it for work, or just life in general.
And for this to happen, I strongly believe that my kid needs to be learning math differently from how I did.
Worksheets – a core memory of math classes from my schooling days
One of my earliest memories of math was the mountainous pile of worksheets. Most of my math teachers were rushing us through the topical workbook, preferring to get these over with so we can start practising on mock test papers to prepare for the major exams. We’re talking about 20 pages of topical worksheets per day; followed by weekly mock tests that eventually became a daily affair as the exam date drew near.
Math was also taught through a carrot-and-stick approach in the schools I attended. There was a ‘mistakes quota’ of five per mock test, which would gradually decrease until we were expected to get perfect scores. Punishment awaited those of us who exceeded the quota, so you can imagine my anxiety level during every math class.
When it comes to mathematical concepts and formulae, we were mostly told to memorise without understanding why or how the formulae came to be. To quote an ex-classmate who really struggled with math, “All these formulae are just alphabets and numbers, they don’t mean anything to me.”
There must be a different way to learning math
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying my teachers did a bad job at teaching math (I did pass my exams, after all). It’s just that I believe there must be another way of learning that can make math more relevant and less intimidating for our kids.
For instance, I wish my teachers spent more time explaining the abstract concepts and formulae. While math drills are good, understanding the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of a formula are better. It would be great if kids could see a math formula being used in a real-world context too. This way, students will have a better understanding of when to use a certain formula, as well as be able to see its relevance.
Another thing that I wish could be different for my kid would be his learning environment. I’m not referring to the classroom, but the dynamics of the teacher-student relationship. Back then, my classmates were hesitant to ask questions for fear of being seen as ‘not smart’. For learning to be conducive, it’s incredibly important for students to feel that they’re in a safe space: where they won’t be judged for seeking clarification, or feel empowered to present a solution that could be different from the textbooks.
Is this learning approach possible? A math educator said yes.
While all educators are committed to helping their students ace the exams, some also focus on fostering a love for the subject they teach – the teachers at Math Nuggets are exactly that. In fact, I found that the centre uses an approach that’s similar to what I wish for my kid.
As the name suggests, Math Nuggets strives to help students succeed in math by breaking complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets that are easy to master. Sandra Lim, Founder of Math Nuggets, said, “We use a unique three-phase approach to empower students to thrive: by building a strong foundation, creating structured lessons that are engaging, and promoting long-term mastery.” Class sizes are intentionally kept small so that each child gets personalised attention and tailored learning from teachers.
But it’s not just about academic success, Math Nuggets aims to help students develop a positive attitude towards math too. “Our approach goes beyond teaching math and helping students excel academically. Math Nuggets’ experienced tutors build positive relationships with children and boost their confidence in the subject. We are here to help students discover the joy of math through interactive and fun teaching methods as well,” Sandra said.
It’s no wonder that Math Nuggets impressed the HoneyKids Asia Singapore Education Awards judges to win silver for Best Math Enrichment Centre. The centre has a proven track record to boot, having guided many primary school students to not just excel in their math exams, but equipped them with the skills and confidence for secondary school as well as junior college.
Interested in Math Nuggets’ approach? You can contact the centre to find out more about its math courses and bootcamps. Should your child need an extra boost in other subjects, you’ll be happy to know that the centre has recently rebranded to The Nuggets Academy, and offers English and science classes under English Nuggets and Science Nuggets.
Here’s to a more fulfilling and positive learning experience!
This post is in partnership with The Nuggets Academy.
