Experimath 2009

The great emphasis which is placed on academic performance in school can make learning a highly stressful process for all concerned - children, teachers and parents. With the burden of an extensive curriculum, crowded classrooms and poorly trained teachers, children do not receive the individual attention and time they need in order to learn with understanding. This often results in learning difficulties. Most of these children do badly in Maths despite trying their best and their parents spend long hours struggling with homework and supervising studies.

Learning difficulties are a common reason for referral to Sethu and we are constantly looking for ways in which we can support children's learning at home and in school. This lead to the idea of "Experimath"

Experimath is a training program for parents in the Universal Active Maths method, devised by Navnirmiti, Mumbai. This full day workshop enables parents to teach their children the essentials of primary school Mathematics through a process of doing and learning. Since January 2008, Sethu has conducted 3 workshops for over 45 parents with great success. The learning process is so enjoyable that many parents have told us they wish they had experienced these methods during their own childhood!

Through a process of group activities using things language, all the basic Maths competencies such as number concept, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division were explained and practiced.

Any parent who is interested in the Experimath workshop should call Michelle at the Sethu centre and register their names, so that they can be informed of the next program. Generally these full-day workshops are conducted on public holidays to enable parents who work outside the home to attend.