Doing math with Nature
Sasmita Sahoo
As we celebrate the birth centenary of the esteemed mathematician P.K. Srinivasan, it is fitting to reflect on his enduring impact on early mathematics education.
Srinivasan’s techniques have profoundly shaped how we teach fundamental concepts, linking numbers with real-world objects to create a meaningful and intuitive learning process. Young children are naturally inquisitive and always brimming with questions about the world. They learn by exploring, moving around, experimenting, and interacting with their environment.
As a teacher with over 30 years of experience in the foundational stage, I’ve learnt that Nature is the best teacher. It provides ample opportunities to develop math and other subject-related concepts, skills, and vocabulary.
Collecting and counting pebbles, leaves, twigs, etc., helps children assimilate the idea of numbers in a tangible and enjoyable way and learn number names and their sequence as well.
Children can learn about sizes and shapes by seeing the leaves of various plants such as banana (large, oval), mango (narrow, spear-shaped), and peepal (heart-shaped). They also learn the necessary vocabulary for comparisons.
Handling leaves, twigs, and seeds can lead to an understanding of comparing both measurable and numerical sizes, and learning the related vocabulary.
Basic ideas of addition and subtraction can be learnt from the processes of aggregating these objects into larger groups or segregating them into smaller piles. These ideas can be formalized using pebbles or big seeds to learn basic addition and subtraction facts.
Here is a link to a video on how we use elements from Nature to learn subtraction at Anandalaya. https://youtube.com/watch?v=VBn6XYfFP40&feature=shared
Many objects in nature exhibit symmetry, which can help introduce young learners to the concept of balance, symmetry, and beauty. Applying ideas of symmetry, children can create simple rangoli patterns using natural materials like flowers, leaves, or stones. Children can also form simple shapes with twigs and clay leading to their understanding of three-dimensional solids.
Using culturally relevant and naturally available resources creates a rich sensory-learning environment. In such an environment, math learning can be fun and meaningful and children can grasp complex math concepts easily.
Such experiences will not only teach foundational math concepts, but also strengthen children’s connection with nature and their surroundings.
The author is Pre-School Coordinator at Anandalaya in Anand, Gujarat. She can be reached at sasmita.kaushik@gmail.com.
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