Games - a great way to learn Maths

Our amazing brains love a chance event

I'm on a mission to help families have fun learning maths. So... I'm starting with science! With modern imaging we can see our amazing brains learning - forming new connections. Research shows that when we are anxious, those new connections don't happen, but when we are anticipating a chance event, connections happen really easily. Having fun playing a game together, where there is an element of chance is (scientifically) a brilliant way to help learning and especially good if family members have anxiety about maths.

Encourage perseverance in maths

Playing games with your child has lots of other benefits too. Playing together encourages close interaction and cooperation. Handling dice and counters will help a child discover and feel numbers. A child is more likely to continue to try to work out an answer if a difficult problem is part of a game. Developing this perseverance supports maths learning to the very highest level.

Learn any maths topic by playing a game

I can't think of a game that doesn't have an element of maths – let me know if you can – but it is also possible to find or invent a game to practise any maths skill. Whether you want to help your child practise addition, times tables or algebra a favourite game can be adapted. Let me know which games you have enjoyed.

I am passionate to help families use maths games to make maths at home an enjoyable, powerful learning experience. Try out some Number Chase games and activities.