Last Updated on July 19, 2023 by Editorial Team
Teaching Math is challenging. Driving young children to dig deeper into elementary concepts of Mathematics does take an effort. Many researchers lay emphasis on the use of gamified resources to achieve the purpose. Perhaps, that is why elementary math games have become a hot topic among teachers who prefer experimentation and encourage involvement or interaction based-learning over one-sided teaching. With gamification, early math learning helps achieve outcomes[1] like number proficiency, better numeric literacy, sound math reasoning, etc.
What are the topics in elementary maths?
Elementary math comprises a wide range of topics taught in the primary levels of studies. Learners are introduced to topics, such as
- Number sense
- Early algebra and geometry
- Measurements
- Basic math operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- Number comparisons and subitizing
- Factors and multiples, etc.
- Math reasoning topics like patterns, sequences, height, weight, distance, etc.
In short, elementary math prepares any child for daily activities. These basic math skills continue to remain relevant throughout an individual’s life.
Important fields where elementary math finds relevance
There is hardly any field where elementary math is not applicable. We have seen Algebra uses in real life in one of our previous posts. Quite similarly, we can find the utility of maths in other important fields like:
- Architecture
- Finance and Accounting
- Research and teaching
- Retail management
- Designing and development, etc.
So, it is not an understatement if we say math deliberates the essence of all the occupations we perceive daily. It is imperative to start preparing for these careers by mastering early computation skills.
One of the most engaging ways to master elementary math is to play games, solve quizzes, and do mind-stimulating puzzles. Of these, math games have got a special place in learning. Let’s find out why elementary math-based games are catching everyone’s attention.
Reasons that favor the use of elementary math games in the learning process
Game-based math teaching promotes the effectiveness of classroom coaching, better participation of kids, and replacement of math-induced stress with fun.[2] Games for elementary math teaching are also preferred due to these reasons:
- Promote the use of a strategy that sharpens the mind eventually
- Teach the practical aspect of the concepts by engaging kids in activity-driven learning
- Induce a sense of deeper participation in kids
- Encourage kids to try solving problems on their own
- Help drive math anxiety away to a greater extent
- Using the reinforcement approach to motivate kids. A zeal to make it to the hall of fame encourages kids to practice better.
Feeling missed out by not playing games that can help attain perfection in elementary math? No worries! We bring you here online math games that may help you master elementary topics like geometry, algebra, math operations fluency, and others.
Some widely-known elementary math games
1. Prodigy Game
Role-playing, participation, and access to activities and loads of questions come wrapped together in Prodigy. The game is designed to engage young learners to dive deeper into solving elementary math questions.
The game starts with simple math questions based on fractions, algebra, number types (odd or even), etc., and then takes you to higher levels where you get to solve more complex problems. It can be a promising tool to include in the learning module when math is to be blended into a gaming environment.
Game Link: Web App
2. Adapted Mind
Adapted Mind is a wholesome resource for learning elementary math and is not just a game. This game-based math online teaching solution allows the subscribers to select the level of problems according to their grades. Aligned with Common Core standards, this web application can give early learners a fascinating learning environment.
Full of topics like math operations, fractions, and the problems picked according to the grade, an Adapted Mind is the fuel that your brain needs to become more active and proficient in math skills. The best part is players can pick the games according to their level of study, like math games for 1st grade, leading up to 8th grade.
Game Link: Web App
3. Candy Shop Arrays
Candy Shop Array offers you a sweeter way of mastering the elementary skill of multiplying. Little users can learn better about one-digit multiplication in the gamification way. The gameplay comprises a multiplication problem of two one-digit numbers, and the players pick the candy jar that contains the correct array structure.
Thus, just like math manipulatives for multiplication, this game is a true delight for early math learners who find it difficult to do math problems using pen and paper(use reference of dyslexic kids). Engaging and quite informative, the Candy Shop Array serves the math learning needs at the elementary stage quite appropriately.
Game Link: Web App
4. Galaxy Pals Fraction Pairs
Learning fractions could never be so easier! Galaxy Pals Fraction Pairs offers a mind-stimulating way of mastering fractions and is an engaging online fraction game supporting easy learning. . In this game, the child is supposed to help the pals by providing them with the fuel required to reach the planet’s surface. In the process, they are given ample practice in solving fraction-based problems like fraction addition, fraction comparison, etc.
How to identify and generate equivalent fractions and understanding how adding parts generates the whole figure are interesting outcomes of this game. Play it solo, in pairs, or in a group; every setting offers fun unlimited. Ease with fractions is the bonus learning you get to relish from this game.
Game Link: Web App
5. Jumping Chicks Counting Game
Have you seen any kid counting on fingers? The usual mistake they make while counting is of skipping any element from a set. For example, missing any apple arranged in a line is a common error you can find your kid making. This game is designed to help the kid perfect the art of counting.
This elementary math game for kindergarteners teaches counting in a very engaging manner. The gameplay involves giving a number at the bottom of the screen as a hint. The challenge is to place the bird on a bunch of leaves matching that number. Moreover, you have to do it really fast to reach the finish line before your competitors.
Both fluency and correctness of counting can be achieved with this math game for starters. This game is available at Math Game Time, where you can find various other free online math games curated grade-wise.
Game Link: Web App
6. Toon Math
Rescue your friends by solving math problems that come your way! This is the gameplay of Toon Math, the ultimate math game for developing elementary skills. It is an easy-to-follow game designed to test and improve early math skills in a young learner. There is an element of time restriction as you are given the task of rescuing the friends from kidnappers before the end of the time limit.
Since the gameplay requires you to solve a variety of elementary math problems in a given time frame, this game can make you comfortable and fluent with all basic math skills.
Game Link: Play Store
7. Tug Team Giraffes
Although digital clocks are very common nowadays, being able to read an analog clock is an essential skill, and this cool game by Mathplayground is a great means of practicing it. In this game, players basically see an analog clock, and they must identify the correct time in words from the options provided. By learning the correct time words, kids can tell time in hours, half hours, quarter hours, and even minutes!
Teaching kids how to identify the right time using an analog clock is usually done in grades 1 and 2 of elementary school. As this is not a simple concept to grasp, teachers can use this game to supplement classroom learning and make it a little more fun for young learners.
Game Link: Web App
8. Shape Invasion
Our world is full of shapes, no matter where we look. And so, shapes are a crucial topic covered in the elementary school math curriculum. This fun math game by Funbrain is suitable for kids in kindergarten to grade 3 and can be used to add variety to the learning process.
Five different shapes, like a square, triangle, and circle, fall from the sky. Players must swap the shapes given at the bottom of the screen to match the same sequence of shapes that are falling from the sky. After they succeed in matching the sequence five times, they win the game.
Game Link: Web App
Wrapping up,
Play methods take the pain out of the learning process and make it more engaging. And, when these educational supports are available in the form of games online on the gadgets we use on a daily basis, these become easier to adopt too. Moreover, if you want your kid to utilize screen time in learning, online games for improving elementary math skills offer a good resource. So, learn more about the math games for beginners and young learners, and give your children a happy way of befriending basic math, something that can make them confident problem-solvers eventually.
References:
- Jordan, N. C., Kaplan, D., Ramineni, C., & Locuniak, M. N. (2009). Early Math Matters: Kindergarten Number Competence and Later Mathematics Outcomes. Developmental psychology, 45(3), 850. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014939
- Teaching mathematics in-game learning environment, Ernest Afari in International Review of Contemporary Learning Research, University of Bahrain, 2012
An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’,