New insight into how children learn maths (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Helen Briggs
BBC News

Teaching maths using abstract gestures is a good way to help children learn, research suggests.

Eight-year-olds gained a deeper understanding of mathematical principles by using their hands as well as their brains, say US psychologists.

Children were taught to solve formulae such as: "4 + 2 + 6 = _ + 6" by making a V-point beneath the numbers to be added, then pointing at the blank.

The actions helped in generalisation, a report in Psychological Science says.

Previous studies have shown that gesture helps learning.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-26643823

[SheilaT]

1. I'm reminded that children born to deaf parents

tend to learn sign language significantly earlier than those born to hearing parents learn speech.

[dipsydoodle]

2. I can believe that

and they have my admiration