Numicon is a unique approach to children’s mathematical education that emphasizes three essential components: mathematical communication, relationship exploration, and generalization. Mathematical communication involves thinking and speaking mathematically, which are two aspects of the same coin. Children acquire mathematical thinking skills as they acquire mathematical communication skills.
Being active in Numicon requires students to engage in physical action and reflect the idea that mathematics is an activity in itself. This implies that kids should always do math on their own rather than following instructions or explanations. They are asked to complete the mathematics (tasks and reasoning) in Numicon, actively learning how to solve mathematical problems.
Illustrating is a necessary part of doing mathematics, as it involves studying relationships between objects, actions, and measures. Spatial imagery is used to explore these relationships, even when considering just two numbers. Every task in Numicon expressly requires illustration, allowing kids to study and communicate relationships in various circumstances.
Speaking is a crucial component of mathematics, as it entails mathematical communication with others and oneself. Numicon activities involve discourse where students and teachers share perspectives and viewpoints, fostering reflective thinking.
Investigating relationships in a range of contexts is essential for understanding the structure of a situation. Children are asked to articulate relationships they observe through mathematical reasoning, ensuring they learn not only how to do mathematics but also when the mathematics they are learning is relevant.
For our youngest
At Active Kids Brain Academy, we use Numicon with groups of children from 3,5 to 5 years old, called Clovers. This program helps early age children become familiar with the world of numbers in an easy and fun way, as well as acquire mathematical skills necessary for future school success and advancement in the BrainOBrain program.