NAIROBI, Kenya – Mathematics, a subject that many children struggle to appreciate, is often disliked for a variety of reasons.
The abstract nature of math concepts and the complexity of equations can be daunting for some students. For others, a lack of perceived relevance to everyday life diminishes their interest.
Additionally, negative experiences such as pressure to perform or uninspiring teaching methods can further contribute to their aversion.
The fear of failure and societal perceptions of math as a difficult or uninteresting subject also play significant roles.
A combination of these factors, including difficulty, relevance, teaching methods, and societal attitudes, leads to many children disliking math.
Breakthrough Study Offers New Hope
A groundbreaking study published in PLOS Biology in 2023 suggests a novel way to increase children’s fondness for math.
Researchers from the Universities of Surrey and Oxford, Loughborough University, and Radboud University in the Netherlands have discovered that electrical noise stimulation of the brain can significantly improve mathematical learning in individuals who struggle with the subject.
The Impact of Neurostimulation on Learning
The study found that electrical noise stimulation over the brain’s frontal region can enhance mathematical abilities, particularly in individuals whose brains exhibit lower excitement levels towards math before the stimulation.
Professor Roi Cohen Kadosh, a leading researcher in cognitive neuroscience and the Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey, explained the significance of this finding:
“Learning is fundamental to everything we do in life, from developing new skills like driving a car to learning how to code. Our brains are constantly absorbing and acquiring new knowledge. Previously, we have shown that a person’s ability to learn is linked to neuronal excitation in their brains. This study aimed to determine if our novel stimulation protocol could boost this activity and improve mathematical skills.”
Study Details and Findings
The study evaluated mathematical skills through a series of multiplication problems from 102 participants. Participants were divided into four groups: the learning group, which received high-frequency random electrical noise stimulation while practicing multiplication; the overlearning group, which practiced multiplication beyond mastery with the same stimulation; and two control groups that experienced a sham condition mimicking real stimulation without significant electrical currents.
The results showed that the groups receiving real electrical noise stimulation demonstrated improved mathematical abilities compared to the control groups.
This suggests that targeted neurostimulation can be a powerful tool in enhancing mathematical learning.
Making Math Interesting for Kids
Beyond neurostimulation, making math more appealing to children involves engaging activities and real-life applications.
Educators and parents can use games, puzzles, and interactive technology to turn abstract concepts into enjoyable challenges.
Relating math problems to everyday situations, like shopping or sports, helps demonstrate its practical value.
Encouraging group work and discussions fosters a collaborative learning environment, while visual aids such as graphs and animations can clarify complex ideas.
By showing enthusiasm and presenting math in diverse, relatable ways, educators can spark curiosity and make the subject more appealing.
