How to improve your child's math skills?

Researchers found that sixth-graders who engage in more constructive play activities (like building with blocks or playing with LEGO) had better spatial ability and improved their mathematical problem-solving skills by a whopping 50%. This is a big deal, because these skills are crucial for success in subjects like math and science, and could even lay the foundation for a career in a STEM field.

So, what's the deal with constructive play and why is it so good for kids? Basically, when kids play with blocks and other construction toys, they're working on their spatial skills. This means they're getting better at visualizing and manipulating objects in their minds, which is a key component of problem-solving and success in math and science.

So, if you want to give your kids a brain boost, encourage them to get building! Whether it's with blocks, LEGO, or any other type of construction toy, they'll be developing valuable skills that will serve them well in the future. And who knows, they might just grow up to be the next great engineer or mathematician!

References:

Oostermeijer M, Boonen AJ, Jolles J. The relation between children's constructive play activities, spatial ability, and mathematical word problem-solving performance: a mediation analysis in sixth-grade students. Front Psychol. 2014 Jul 17;5:782. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00782. PMID: 25101038; PMCID: PMC4102248.