Last Updated on October 5, 2022 by Editorial Team
Mathematics is not only about doing numeric operations. In fact, numeric operations are just a part of the subject. There is a lot more to the idea of calculating values.
For example, when you have learned numbers, the next step is to develop a logic from the process. This means, when we say, 3+2=5, a person must be able to understand that 3 and 2 are smaller numbers than 5. Also, they must derive the fact lucidly that a packet containing 5 things will be heavier or bigger than that containing 2 or 3 things. This simple example shows what exactly mathematical-logical intelligence means.
In a nutshell, mathematical-logical intelligence means being able to prepare for any upcoming activity based on the logic derived from mathematical operations or relationships. However, this ability may not be very pronounced in people suffering from ingrained learning disabilities[1]. They need more practice or brain plasticity-supporting activities to develop this intelligence.
Keeping these special needs in mind, we have briefly explained in this post a few activities needed for mathematical-logical intelligence development and application. Also, we will explain quickly about their benefits. So, let’s begin with activities first.
Activities to boost mathematical-logical intelligence
1. Writing stories or explaining an event
A story is a textual presentation of an event that occurred somewhere. Writing about it involves presenting sentences in a logical manner. The learners trying to develop logical intelligence employ knowledge of patterns and orders to create stories.
Explaining how events happened, concentrating on the feelings associated with those, and their presentation in a meaningful manner make one clearly aware of the patterns and logic. Thus, one can benefit from this activity a lot, while trying to attain mathematical-logical intelligence.
2. Solving brain puzzles
Lucidity in understanding and forming patterns is an important skill derived from mathematical-logical intelligence. Brain puzzles are the perfect teasers for the brain and help boost its ability to develop and apply logic. The brain puzzles can be numeric or diagram-based.
Also, some brain puzzles are based on personalities or landscapes. By applying this puzzle-solving skill[2] in building logic, the learners can improve their capacity to reason on mathematical and logical grounds appreciably.
3. Playing with blocks and linking cubes
Playing with blocks and linking cubes helps a lot in developing logic and understanding the underlying concept. So, using these manipulatives offer a playful approach to building working knowledge and logical intelligence.
Activities based on these things can train the mind[3]; with continual practice, the teachers can help students develop working memory. Don’t we all arrange the cubes quicker than before after considerable repetitions? It is because of the logical intelligence developed.
4. Drawing pictures after referring to a pattern
Show the kids a pattern and ask them to copy it first. After a few repetitions, ask them to draw the pattern without looking at the cue picture provided. The kids will require their memory and intelligence to complete this task. Thus, encourage them to repeat as many times as possible until the learners can draw the pattern independently.
It is a classic activity that drives the mind into design thinking and also applies the information provided. (Review of Educational ResearchVol. 82, No. 3 (September 2012), pp. 330-348)
With better practice and more repetitions, the users display considerable finesse in the drawing activity leading to improved logical and critical thinking.
5. Playing maths-logic-based board games
All board games are built on a certain logic-based strategy. Playing these helps in actions like logical thinking, decision-making, identifying patterns, evaluating critically, and also, improving cognition[4]. Since developing mathematical-logical intelligence is the total sum of all these actions, playing board games can help develop this trait using a playful and fun approach. Also, board games easily attract children; thus, they can be easily driven to do repetitions required for attaining plasticity.
Many popular board games like Chess, Monopoly, etc. offer the development of mathematical-logical intelligence as a benefit. Players always strive to do better than before in these games; it helps season the mind appreciably.
6. Develop and solve riddles
Riddles have been a part of everybody’s growing up. Some riddles are so widely used that they become a signature question for the areas where these are asked. Plus, their role in building intelligence is quite prominent. When you ask someone a riddle, you try to assign a set of words or expressions to a word. Or you are supposed to identify an object or a person from the cues provided. Thus, you work up the logical part of your brain while doing so. Similarly, children can be encouraged to develop riddles by themselves. It helps them tease the brain more, enabling them to develop logical intelligence in the process.
7. Learn tongue-twisters
“She sells sea shells on the seashore”. Almost all of us have enjoyed iterating these tongue-twisters in our early learning stage. These are sentences that comprise words with the same initial letter. While voicing them out, the chances of making mistakes are quite high if you have not put the proper concentration into the activity.
Thus, you are actually putting logical knowledge or sequencing skills into action while learning tongue twisters. So, it is an interesting activity that offers you appreciation from others, too, as a bonus.
Benefits of doing these activities
Our brain needs exercise to develop mathematical-logical intelligence. We do several things out of instinct, but in those where skill-building is necessary, repetitions and logical thinking are necessary. Activities mentioned above offer the same; other benefits offered are:
- Increased concentration
- Better reasoning ability
- Improved cognition
- Enhanced critical thinking
- Lucidity in patterns identification and spatial reasoning
- Maintains agility of mind till late in life
Wrapping Up,
Mathematical-logical intelligence is required for attaining literacy with concepts along with smartness in thinking. A person is capable of talking, writing, calculating, and reasoning because of this intelligence. It becomes quite easier to build this intelligence when you choose activities that promote logical thinking. So, keep activities in your regular schedule so that you can offer the requisite mental exercise crucial for formative years.
References
- Korkmaz, B. Theory of Mind and Neurodevelopmental Disorders of Childhood. Pediatr Res 69, 101–108 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e318212c177
- del Moral M. E., Guzmán A. D., Fernández L. C. (2018). Game-Based Learning: Increasing the logical-Mathematical, Naturalistic, and Linguistic LearningLevels of Primary School Students. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research,
7(1), 31-39. DOI: 10.7821/naer.2018.1.248 - Cresswell C, Speelman CP (2020) Does mathematics training lead to better logical thinking and reasoning? A cross-sectional assessment from students to professors. PLoS ONE 15(7): e0236153. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236153
- Türkoğlu, B. (2019, October 16). A Mixed Method Research Study on the Effectiveness of Board Game Based Cognitive Training Programme. International Journal of Progressive Education, 15(5), 315–344. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2019.212.21
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’,