Creating Dynamic Problem Solvers While Learning Part-Whole Concepts: Young Children Using Manipulatives for Mathematics Learning

At a time when Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professions are in great demand, the question as to how to cultivate learners’ interests in these fields becomes more urgent. This paper presents valuable guidance in building positive mathematics learning experiences among students of all ages. Using effective, enjoyable, and real-life activities, it presents an innovative, research-based, and field-tested model approach to teaching Part-Whole concepts to young children. Building upon extended action research, this project reveals how using a Rekenrek manipulative and Think Aloud strategies, mathematics teachers cultivate not only number sense and arithmetic skills, but also the internalization of essential pre-Algebra concepts. Instructional activities, illustrations, as well as facilitation strategies are described in detail to provide specific examples for instructors to explore. This article describes the research foundation of the models, and a brief theoretical background and history of these approaches. However, the main foci of this paper are the several real-life applications for the math teaching and learning process which emerged. The final section of the article returns to a discussion of the foundational educational principles which undergird the approach and outcomes of these multisensory and manipulative math instructional approaches.