What Is Singapore Math and Should Your Child Learn it?

You’ve probably heard about the Singapore Math method from fellow parents, and you wonder to yourself what it really is. Should your child learn it? How does it differ from other math enrichment classes? And is it effective?

Singapore has consistently ranked as one of the best in global education ranking, especially in math and science. Math is a priority subject for students in this state-island, so much so that Singaporean students are among the world’s best. They attribute this to the teaching approach developed by the Singapore’s Ministry of Education for public schools in the 1980s. It features an intentional progression of concepts so that students get to have a deeper understanding of mathematics.

The country’s approach to math education has indeed set the bar. And its adaptation comes in various forms around the world. In fact, in 1998, a couple named Jeffrey and Dawn Thomas concluded that their child’s American Math curriculum can take inspiration from the Singaporean method, paving the way for U.S. public schools to adopt it.

So what should you know about Singapore Math? Read on.

What Are the Fundamentals of Singapore Math?

It follows a three-step learning process

Most schools teach Math by asking kids to memorize formulas, remember arithmetic, and apply them based on the problems presented in examinations. Singapore Math, on the other hand, follows a core framework known as CPA—which stands for Concrete, Pictorial, and Abstract.

Under Concrete, kids physically engage with items that demonstrate certain concepts. Examples of these are blocks, cards, or even fruits and stones. Pictorial, on the other hand, highlights visual representations which can include drawings or doodles. And lastly, abstract presents ideas through words, symbols like + or -, or equations. This type of method hones a child’s logical and problem-solving skills.

It does not rely on memorization

Because the concepts are taught systematically and with a child’s participation embedded in them, kids are not always expected to memorize lessons, rules, and even formulas.

More than getting an answer, this method teaches kids to learn the logic and process in order to get to the answer. In other words, this method is all about mastering problem solving skills and learning in depth.

The textbooks and workbooks are concise and engaging

Kids who are enrolled in this curriculum work on a textbook that contains the concepts and a workbook that encourages them to practice and apply their learnings. Moreover, lessons come with engaging graphics too to make them more interesting and appealing to the child.

In the Singapore math method, concepts are introduced using concrete objects rather than going straight into teaching equations, which they probably have not encountered before.

The topics are fewer, but with greater depth

The fewer topics children need to learn, the more time they have to understand how certain concepts work. Singapore Math focuses more on the “why” and “how”, and less on the “what”— this leads to a more in-depth discussion and understanding.

The topics are sequential

While there may be fewer topics to be discussed, each of them builds on the previous one, promoting accelerated learning and making it easier for students to follow the concepts and lessons.

Teachers are expecting kids ask questions

Students of Singapore Math don’t just have to passively take in everything the teachers are teaching. Instead, the teachers are highly expecting for the kids to ask questions. And if feasible, the kids present their own solutions, based on their own understanding.

There’s a reason why it became popular worldwide

The news of Singapore-educated children consistently excelling in Math globally has made this method popular in the past decade or so. Now, more and more countries are adopting it in their schools and curriculum—including the Philippines. Talk about being globally competitive for the future!

Where Can Your Kids Learn Singapore Math?

If you are looking at where you can enroll your child to learn the Singapore Math method, check out the following classes:

Learn more about School Age Children here. 

This story is originally from Edamama. And is re-used with permission:

https://www.edamama.ph/discover/play-learn/what-is-singapore-math