Teachers use cartoon characters, yoga postures to teach Mathematics

Mathematics is often considered as one of the toughest subjects, but there are educational enterprises that are keen on making the subject more entertaining. On the one hand, cartoon characters are used to teach Math, and on the other, classes are designed where students get to learn the subject with the help of yoga.

The aim is to help students of primary schools understand the concepts better, making the foundation strong.

Recently, Cuemath, India’s leading home-based, after-school learning initiative for Math, launched a programme where fictional characters are used to explain the basic mathematical concepts. “We have created all the characters and the fictional universe they belong to, with immense detail, keeping in mind the triggers for children across different age groups. We believe that students can understand Mathematics better by following their heroes on thrilling feats and escapades that pique their curiosity into the underlying scientific processes. With this type of learning, we want to help remove the fear of Mathematics in children and bring them closer to strengthening this life skill,” said S Manan Khurma,Cuemath’s founder, and CEO.

Madhumati N, of Shraddha that designs curriculum based on multiple intelligence methodology, says, “There are so many notions about Mathematics and it has to be taught in a way that students understand the logic behind it.” 

N. Geetha, a Mathematics teacher teaching Classes 2, 4 and 5, says. “We teach different kinds of angles in Class 5. While explaining about the obtuse, acute, straight and right angle, we usually use the protractor, but many students may not be able to register it. Since students respond to images, we use yoga postures.

For instance, a seated angle pose shows 180 degrees. Similarly, a leg raise can explain right angle. We involve students in various activities and they learn Math at the same time.”

There are some start-ups that want to improve the problem- solving skills that are important in solving Mathematical problems. Saravanan Sundaramoorthy, Founder and CEO, Edsix Brain Lab says,

“Problem solving skill is a key factor in Mathematics. Also, most children have an attention span pf seven minutes. We have to create games that engage that long and also improve their attention span.

We also have games to improve critical thinking that, in the long term, help students understand the concepts better.”