Marilyn Burns, a Mathematics Consultant, talks about how children learn with manipulatives. Excerpted from the video Mathematics With Manipulatives: Six Models, produced by Focal Point Productions, Inc. for Cuisenaire Company of America, Inc.
"Manipulative materials demystify mathematics. As a teacher, it's a pleasure to watch children work with materials. They're actively involved. They focus intently on problems, and they respond eagerly to mathematical questions. Materials provide concrete models from which children gain real understanding of abstract ideas. Children's learning with manipulatives is testimony of the claim of the ancient Chinese proverb, 'I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.'"
This Critical Issue summary was researched and written by Cathy Cook, North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.
Date posted: 1995