How to Teach Math to Children with the Singapore Method

Teaching and understanding Singapore’s math aren’t always easy, especially for children and teenagers. Most of the time children have to solve problems with complex numbers and calculations, memorize times tables and various mathematical definitions.

However, all of this is easier if the children’s math skills are stimulated in other ways and with other problem-solving techniques.

It is no coincidence that in some foreign countries and oversees the Singapore method has been adopted in schools to learn mathematics in a simpler way. But let’s see how this teaching method works!

Singaporean students are very good at mathematics and this is thanks to the so-called “Singapore Math Method”.

Many schools abroad have already adopted this method of teaching mathematics for some time: in the United States alone there are more than 600 schools that have tried it successfully, but it is not excluded that it can also be adopted in other countries. 

How to Teach Math to Children with the Singapore Method 1

Singapore Method of Teaching Mathematics 

In practice, the Singapore method of teaching mathematics abandons classical teaching based on calculus, procedure, and memorization, to give way to other problem-solving techniques.

Therefore, in the mathematics book applying the Singapore method, there are no definitions, theorems, and proofs, but above all practical situations and reasoning techniques, as well as quick and intuitive methods to solve them.

In particular, according to the Asian method, “problem-solving“, which is the set of problem-solving techniques, must be at the center of the teaching and learning of mathematics in children’s schools. In this context, problem-solving and group reasoning in the classroom becomes the right premise for introducing simple mathematical concepts in a process that is structured in three phases: concrete, pictorial and abstract.

The concrete phase, which can already be learned from primary or kindergarten, is based on a manipulative experience, with concrete objects.

The painting phase, on the other hand, uses graphic representations of objects and operations: children learn to transfer their understanding of operations through concrete objects such as a mental image, a diagram, or a drawing that expresses the same notion.

Only in the abstract phase do we move on to using numbers and mathematical symbols, such as multiplication.

However, the abstract stage is not introduced until the previous stages are well understood. Furthermore, at this stage, there are no formulas to memorize, but problems to which solutions must be found.

In practice, the basic idea of ​​the “made in Asia method” for mathematics is to use a symbolic representation of the mathematical concept.

The graphic model used by the Singapore method most frequently is the “bar modeling”, taught from the first year of school. Once the problem has been translated into its graphical representation, the solution then appears to be simple and logical, because the graphical representation of the problem is itself its resolution. It is therefore no wonder that Asian children learn multiplication first or that the Singapore method also applies to teaching algebra!

Teaching Singapore Math’s

Teachers need to improve their communication skills with Singapore Math. Not only should they understand Singapore’s Math system, but they should also know the cultural values and beliefs of Singaporeans as they interact with them.

Otherwise, they need to start respecting the fact that Singaporeans, like many others, are multi-ethnic. People of different races are important components of Singapore’s social fabric.

Their diversity is what makes Singapore such an innovative society.

Teachers and Singapore Math

There is no doubt that teaching Singapore math in an online source helps students absorb some concepts and vocabulary easily.

However, many students still don’t know that this program is actually running, and many teachers still don’t know that Singapore Math is providing support in preparing youths for future knowledge of Maths.

We hope that more teachers embrace and promote teaching Singapore math in their classes and schools so more students can learn about Singapore Math and through wonderful E Singapore Math. 

E Singapore Math is a uniquely structured program aiming to develop problem-solving skills and a thorough understanding of essential math skills, for more information check over here.

It is closely aligned with curriculum focal points recommended by the National Council of Mathematics Teachers and the State’s Common Core Principles.

Julie Higgins
Author
Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.