Making Sense of Numbers and Math

With his years of study, Dr. Cary Schneider has had lifelong exposure to and proficiency in numbers and math. He presents his practical, down to earth approach and way to think about numbers and math. It is designed to be a guide for parents to supplement the education their children receive at school. It can give the early preschool child some basic information and perspectives so that structured education will be more productive. It may also give teachers a unique perspective that they might incorporate into their numbers and math education. You will learn his philosophy and principles to improve your perspectives and knowledge and see how numbers and math really do make sense. Dr. Schneider has become good at math by following some basic philosophies of learning numbers and math: visualization, relationships and perspectives, priniciples of numbers and math, and repetition. He elaborates on all of these philosophies as all are essential to laying a strong foundation and truly understanding numbers and math. Without these strong building blocks, children and adults will not grasp the basics and struggle with numbers and math, possibly for a lifetime. He presents the “pattern” or “map” he has used throughout his life that has guided his learning process. The child or reader can then use the pattern and utilize several philosophies by using a numbers board game. He introduces a new game that utilizes all of these principles: Nelson’s Train Stops. The author devotes an entire chapter to the principles of numbers and then another one for principles of math. There is much overlap between the two, but it is important to learn numbers first, then math. Using visualization on a “pattern” and incorporating all of the principles will build a strong foundation of understanding. However, only if there is lots of repetition, will the child put the information into memory permanently, for a lifetime of understanding. The Nelson’s Train Stops Board Game is a great tool to allow the child or student to “repeat” the principles over and over again in a fun way. Research discussed in the appendix demonstrates the merit of what Dr. Schneider presented. Research demonstrates that all four of the philosophies (visualization, perspectives/relationships, principles, and repetition) are important to have success in numbers and math.