Stretching Young Mathematicians

For many of us, the idea of mathematics brings back memories of silent classrooms, endless worksheets, and rising frustration. But at Anandi School, we believe maths should inspire curiosity, not anxiety.

Guided by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) philosophy, our approach recognises that mathematical understanding grows from each child’s personal experiences. Learners build meaning when they interact with mathematical ideas in ways that are relevant, realistic, and joyful.

From Play to Precision: How Children Build Mathematical Understanding

Our learning journey moves through three key stages:

1. Constructing meaning through play and exploration:
   Using manipulatives like blocks, beads, and puzzles, children first feel what numbers represent before writing them down.

2. Connecting meaning to symbols:
   Once they understand quantities, they learn to represent them. A child might draw a tower of blocks before writing the equation it represents—bridging real-world discovery with the language of maths.

3. Applying understanding in practical challenges: Finally, students use what they’ve learned in authentic, engaging contexts. This ensures maths is understood, not memorised.

What Math Learning Looks Like at Anandi

We design every experience to make numbers come alive, linking mathematical concepts to situations children can see, touch, and care about.

1. More Than Just Counting: Developing Number Sense

Numbers are the foundation of all mathematics, but at Anandi, we go far beyond rote counting. Our goal is for children to understand what numbers represent and how they relate to one another.

In action: Instead of solving worksheets, children might plan a class party—deciding how many snacks and juice boxes are needed per person. They’re not just practising addition and division; they’re using maths to make real decisions and take ownership of their learning.

2. Building Blocks of Understanding: Exploring Geometry

Geometry isn’t just about naming shapes: it’s about spatial reasoning, balance, and design thinking.

In action: Our classroom might transform into an Architects’ Workshop. Using cardboard, craft sticks, and imagination, children design and build structures that explore symmetry, stability, and spatial awareness.

3. Measuring the World: The Power of Quantifying

Measurement connects maths to everyday life. It helps children make sense of the world’s scale, from how tall a plant grows to how much flour a recipe needs.

In action: A School Bake Sale offers the perfect context. Children follow recipes, measure ingredients, and even sell their baked goods. Along the way, they discover volume, weight, and value in the most delicious way possible.

4. Finding Patterns Everywhere: The Hidden Language of Maths

Patterns are the heartbeat of mathematics: they train children to observe, predict, and think critically.

In action: As Pattern Detectives, children go on a nature walk to spot patterns in leaves or shells. Back in class, they recreate and extend these patterns using coloured blocks. This inquiry-based approach helps them connect natural beauty to mathematical logic.

5. Making Sense of Data: Early Steps in Analytical Thinking

In an information-rich world, children need to learn how to collect, represent, and interpret data meaningfully.

In action: A class opinion poll might explore everyone’s favourite fruit or book. Students tally votes and create simple bar graphs, seeing how organised data reveals group preferences and informs decisions.

Our mission is to replace fear with fascination. By the time children leave Junior School, they don’t just know maths, they feel it. They see numbers as tools to explore, create, and solve real-world problems confidently.

At Anandi, every young learner becomes a mathematician in the making: curious, capable, and full of wonder.