Drawing In Math? Understanding Why This Is A Good Approach
In some higher levels of mathematics, drawing is common. Geometry, for example, always involves drawing shapes, lines and angles to represent the answers and the work conducted to reach those answers. In advanced algebra and calculus, graphs and parabolas within sectors are used to illustrate answers. So, why would you want to teach math with drawing in other levels? There are some very good reasons for this indeed.
Some Kids Cannot Imagine in 3D
Kids who are not talented in art have a very difficult time conceptualizing things in their heads. It is hard for them to imagine or see math as anything other than a string of numbers that is supposed to result in an answer. Using a drawing of some kind helps them see math for the first time as something more than just equations and computations. They can see how to arrive at the answer, and find new paths to arrive at the same answer.
Drawing Engages Kids That Are Otherwise Bored and/or Distracted
When you involve drawing in math, kids that are otherwise bored by math or are highly distracted and distractable are suddenly engaged. They feel as though they are doing something other than math, which is not the case, but it works. They are having fun drawing symbolic pictures that help them arrive at the expected answers to the math problems set in front of the them. In short, the drawing makes math more fun and more interesting than quoting and memorizing math facts.
Kids Learn to Recognize Mathematical Patterns in Art and the World
If kids draw to learn math, they learn to recognize mathematical patterns in art. They also learn to recognize patterns in the world, something that is key to just about any job they could ever do. Everything from police work to medical science relies on math, patterns, probability and educated predictions of the outcomes of patterns.
Drawing and Math Are Fundamental to Certain Careers
Drawing and math together are fundamental to certain careers, most notably, engineering and design. Kids who learn to use drawing in conjunction with math and who have an aptitude for both can become engineers. It helps children recognize from an early age if they are able to enter fast-paced careers in various types of engineering and what that could mean for their futures overall. It also helps them plan ahead for college and beyond.
For more information about teaching math with drawing, check with companies like Mary Smale.
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