Let’s Get Mathematical!

By CONNETIX

Learn how CONNETIX can help your child discover the joy of mathematics through play.

At its most foundational level, mathematics is all about play. If you’ve ever sat down and observed children play, you might notice they are great experimenters. They love to pick up new toys and see how they work- and in doing so, often naturally explore mathematical concepts through play.

Here are six ways that your children can use CONNETIX to explore mathematical concepts.

@connetix_tiles (via @thewalkerways)

1. Measurement

CONNETIX enable children to experiment with units of measurement through play, expand their understanding and reasoning around measurement, including making direct and indirect comparisons about the length or weight of two or more designs.

As CONNETIX come in a variety of sizes, shapes and weight, they naturally encourage children to explore and play with units of measurement.

Play ideas:

Create two towers and compare which is taller? Shorter?
Create two boxes out of CONNETIX squares and ask children to fill them with objects. Identify which box is heavier/lighter
Kids naturally love to fill items in an open container. Our 24 piece motion pack is being used in the picture to store items in a train container.

@connetix_tiles (via @today.our.children)

2. Shapes

Children love to explore and experiment with different tiles to make all kinds of creations. Because two-dimensional and three-dimensional concepts can be quite abstract, CONNETIX make the perfect at-home resource to play with different shapes to see how they can work together. CONNETIX allow children to explore and create both 2D and 3D shapes through play, allowing them to use their innate curiosity and imagination to experiment with different tiles and create complex creations.

Play ideas:

Trace around different CONNETIX shapes on a large piece of paper or whiteboard. Ask children to solve the puzzle by finding each matching shape. Discuss the different features of each shape.
Give children a stack of CONNETIX equilateral triangles and see what they create (do they create a flatly pattern? Do they create pyramids?) Repeat this with all the other shapes in your CONNETIX collection and discuss the different features of each shape.

Our 100 piece creative pack makes an excellent gift for your creative toddler while expanding their reasoning with shapes that follow foundational mathematical standards.

@connetix_tiles (via @bighousetinyhumans)

3. Location and Transformation

The ability to describe the position and movement of an object is a foundational mathematical skill. CONNETIX make it easy for your child to experiment with different creations to expand their vocabulary around position and movement.

Children are natural tinkerers. That’s what makes the CONNETIX brand so fun! As your child learns how the magnetic tiles work, they will instantly begin raising the stakes to see what they can build and even incorporate some of their favourite toys into the mix.

Play ideas:

Encourage children to observe and explain what and how they build, explaining how/why an object moves from one place to another.
Create a box out of CONNETIX square tiles. Ask children to put an object inside the box, behind the box, on top of the box, beside the box, underneath/below the box. This activity can be explored with any CONNETIX creation and encourages children to become familiar with positional language.

Our 92 piece ball run pack is an excellent option for children learning about location and transformation.

@connetix_tiles (via @wonder.and.awe)

4. Data Representation and Interpretation

Children love to make inferences about the world around them, and CONNETIX is an excellent tool for developing their natural curiosity around interpreting data. They can use CONNETIX to arrange data by colour, shape, size, or numerical values.

Play idea:

Sort your CONNETIX collection of tiles by size, shape, and/or colour. This can be explored on the floor, or add in some extra fun by finding vertical magnetic surfaces like a fridge or garage door.

The CONNETIX 62 piece starter pack is an excellent choice for developing an understanding of interpreting data.

@connetix_tiles (via @sweet.little.adventures)

6. Patterns

Ask any mathematician what makes them unique from other thinkers, and they may just say their ability to recognise patterns. Mathematics is routed in patterns, from the Fibonacci sequence to data analysis.

CONNETIX are perfect for recognising and creating patterns. The simple design of shapes and colours of different sizes helps children classify tiles before they know they are doing it. We even have free resources you can download.

Play Ideas:

Start off a pattern for children to complete.
Challenge children to create a pattern using certain colours or shapes.

Your Child’s Mathematical Growth Is Only Limited by Their Imagination

At CONNETIX, we believe in designing toys that expand your child’s mind while expanding their innate curiosity to learn through play. If you would like to purchase any of our products, please check out our website.

For more information on how CONNETIX can help your child grow, please visit our blog.

CONNETIX

The CONNETIX Team of Play Experts include masters qualified teachers, early childhood educators, industry specialists and dedicated parents who are all passionate about the benefits of open-ended play, STEAM learning and quality resources, bringing knowledge, experience and love of all things CONNETIX to everything they share.

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