National Mathematics Day is celebrated on December 22nd to honour the life and work of Srinivasa Ramanujan, a legendary Indian mathematician. A self-taught mathematician, he made extraordinary contributions to the field of mathematics, especially to the theory of numbers.

Mathematics plays a significant role in shaping and developing human life. National Mathematics Day, therefore, does not just acknowledge Ramanujan’s contributions, it also aims to honour the importance of mathematics in our lives while inspiring people to reason.

Despite its importance in our lives, the word “math” invokes mixed feelings in people. While some thoroughly enjoy the insights offered by the subject and its practical applications, for several others, it can even cause a lot of anxiety and dread.

It is important, therefore, to introduce the subject right in playschool through fun counting activities that lay a strong foundation for problem-solving. If you are looking for some ways to celebrate numbers on National Mathematics Day, here is an entertaining list. It not only includes activities that can be done within the four walls of the classroom, but it also inspires students to appreciate the subject in its real-life application. So here goes:

1. Cooking

How about doing a culinary activity together that not only creates delicious food but also introduces them to the concept of measurement? It is through activities such as these that the child will begin to see mathematics not just as a theoretical subject but as an enabler in life. The activity will offer you some bonding time and leave you with gastronomical delight, which is an added perk.

2. Shopping

You can also go shopping on this day. Besides picking up some essentials, it will also be a great lesson in addition, budgeting, and more.

3. Art & Craft

It will be a great idea to undertake activities that enhance both left-brain and right-brain thinking. Bring together the joy of mathematics with the love for art and craft. Get the child to incorporate different shapes into his or her favourite arts and crafts activity. Alternately, create a pattern scavenger hunt where the child must discover different shapes.

Children could also use shapes to create a visually striking poster, which they could then put on display for everyone else to admire.

You could also help the students to create 3-D shapes using matchsticks or toothpicks.

4. Alligator Activity

There cannot be a more enjoyable activity than a friendly alligator teaching children how to compare numbers. It sets the tone for the “greater than,” “less than,” or “ equals to” exercise that they will do in the future. Except that the exercise will no longer seem like a chore aided by the friendly alligator.

5. Lego Addition/ Multiplication Tower

How children love Lego! You can use it as a tool to teach addition and even multiplication, depending on the child’s age. Different colours will help you explain the concept.

6. Skip Counting

If you are in the process of teaching skip number counting to your child, you know that stress only makes the lesson so much more difficult. Instead, try teaching it with a kite. So, each time the kite is given a tug, the child needs to skip one number and jump to the next. You are only limited by your imagination to create creative ideas that make skip counting fun.

7. Odd Todd and Even Steven

When teaching the child odd and even numbers, you can use two characters that render the concept much more exciting than if you just teach it theoretically.

8. Storytelling

Children love stories. How about weaving mathematical concepts into these stories? Depending on your teaching concept, you could even have a story where the characters take off on a math-related adventure and have fun skipping counting/addition/fractions.

9. Musical

How about helping children assemble a musical around numbers and shapes or even a short skit that deals with the magic of numbers on National Mathematics Day?

10. Fraction Cake

Using a yummy cake to teach the concept of fractions can take the activity several notches higher. Start with the basic fractions of ½ and ¼ as you cut the cake into large pieces. It’s a given that the activity will be followed by a tasty treat!

11. Fancy Dress

How about having a fancy-dress activity around the concept of numbers? Children can wear costumes that reflect mathematical concepts and speak a few lines about them.

12. Feelings and Emotions

It will be fitting to end Mathematics Day celebrations by discussing with children the emotions and feelings that math evokes in them. If you have been teaching them to name their feelings, you will be glad to see them mention the excitement, curiosity, and joy that mathematics inspires in them. It sure will turn out to be a Happy Mathematics Day!

To Sum Up

National Mathematics Day is a great opportunity to appreciate the importance of mathematics in our lives and find beauty in it. Offering the children a fun and creative experience needs to be an integral part of the day. The important bit is to allow students to see the wonder and joy that mathematics brings and for children to realize how mathematics embraces just about every aspect of our lives. Done well, the day can help spread the joy of mathematics far and wide.

At Footprints Preschool and playgroup, we are committed to children’s holistic development. The scientifically developed HighScope curriculum allows us to focus on math as one of the important content areas while encouraging children to develop real-life skills.