Ways To Teach Math Concepts To Children
Here comes the global economy. Unfortunately this brave poses a serious and formidable challenge to the United States. The problem is that our children are just not showing much interest or skills in the areas of math, engineering, science, or technology. As the workers of the baby boomer generation start to retire, we not only need to fill these jobs, but instruct our young people to compete for the global jobs of the future. Could the media of the math comic book be part of the solution to the problem?
This global economy in which we find ourselves in is based on science and math and technology. Labor statistics tell us that growth in these areas will increase 70% faster than those of other areas. That’s a huge jump. It’s nothing short of tragic that our kids are not showing the interest required in these areas. How are we as a nation going to compete if they don’t?
As we enter this brave new age, we need new media tools. Not just the internet, but other ways to teach math and science to our children. Children need to be shown that math can be very practical to the hobbies and interests that they have at such a young age. For example, mathematics is very important in calculating the statistics of their favorite sports hero. Mathematics principles are also at heart in the global world of music. If our kids learn that mathematics is not only practical, but very fun, they will be more likely to choose a career in it in when they get much older.
How about comic strips? Could this be considered to be a “new media” tool? In some ways perhaps. While it’s true that comic strips have been around for years , they have mostly been used to entertain. We have all read a comic about a super hero, or a talking rabbit, or young love. How many times have we read a comic that taught us mathematics? I don’t remember ever doing this as a child. Since kids love to read comics, if we can use this format to teach them science and math, we will all win. They will be educated and entertained, and we will help set our kids on a course that is good for the nation’s future.