Mathematical thinking – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

Long before children write code or build robots, they are experimenting with how things are built and how they can be repurposed through their play. (Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash)

February 12, 2026

How children’s play with everyday objects can encourage skills needed for STEM success

Ozlem Cankaya, MacEwan University and Natalia Rohatyn-Martin, MacEwan University

Asking children to explain what they are building or allowing them time to explore without interruption can deepen the STEM learning embedded in play.

In elementary school, algebra involves using mathematical models to represent and analyze mathematical situations. (Shutterstock)

February 6, 2023

‘Numberless math’ gets kids thinking about and visualizing algebra

Marc Husband, St. Francis Xavier University; Evan Throop Robinson, St. Francis Xavier University, and Matthew Little, St. Francis Xavier University

Working with moveable pictures can help children learn an algebra rule: Whatever you do to one side of the equation, you need to do to the other. Here’s how teachers or caregivers can lead this.

December 28, 2022

The history and mystery of Tangram, the children’s puzzle game that harbours a mathematical paradox or two

Thomas Britz, UNSW

Tangram is accessible yet challenging, and an excellent educational tool. It’s still used in schools today to help illustrate mathematical concepts and develop mathematical thinking skills.

January 4, 2022

Learn how to make a sonobe unit in origami – and unlock a world of mathematical wonder

Julia Collins, Edith Cowan University

I’m a mathematician whose hobby is origami. It has inspired mathematicians to solve problems once thought impossible, and create folding telescope lenses, airbags and solar panels.

Keeping a safe distance from each other isn’t made simpler when units of measurement are being butchered. (Egan J. Chernoff)

December 19, 2021

Do the math when measuring social distancing: two metres is not the same as six feet

Egan J Chernoff, University of Saskatchewan

Why haven’t people gotten upset about how our social distancing signs are fostering innumeracy?

Whatever costume you wear, put on your ‘sorting hat’ after trick-or-treating to help children lay the foundation for higher-level mathematics. (Shutterstock)

October 28, 2021

5 ways sorting Halloween candy can help children develop mathematics skills

Sheri-Lynn Skwarchuk, University of Winnipeg; Erin A Maloney, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa, and Heather P. Douglas, Carleton University

Early exposure to everyday math at home predicts children’s school mathematics outcomes.

The extent to which parents and educators encourage children to think mathematically in the years before they enter grade one are critically important for math foundations. (Shutterstock)

March 8, 2020

Mathematical thinking begins in the early years with dialogue and real‑world exploration

Helena Osana, Concordia University

Math is not primarily about numbers, but about thinking. It all begins with parent-child conversations about mathematical ideas.

What does it mean for students if they are learning that technology can answer every challenge? (Shutterstock)

January 26, 2020

A math teacher’s plea: Let’s keep pi irrational

Veselin Jungic, Simon Fraser University

Technology in the math classroom should enhance and extend, rather than replace, how to think mathematically.

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