BY THE WAY: Why Experiential Learning in Maths Matters More Than Ever
Emotional support from parents is very important during this challenging time. In these years, there is a need to nurture children’s effective personality, healthy lifestyle and strong sensitivities.
Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer
For generations, mathematics has been taught as a subject of rules, formulas and right answers. Classrooms have often emphasized speed, memorization and examinations over understanding. Yet, in a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, data-driven decisions and complex real-life problems, this traditional approach is no longer enough. Experiential learning in mathematics—learning by doing, exploring and reflecting—has become more important than ever, from Remote Learning to Real Understanding
Many students fear mathematics not because it is inherently difficult, but because it is taught in an abstract and disconnected way. Experiential learning shifts the focus from memorizing procedures to understanding concepts through experience. When students measure angles by building shapes, explore ratios through cooking, or discover patterns by analysing real data, mathematics stops being a collection of symbols and starts making sense.
This approach helps students answer the most important question in learning: Why does this work?
Connecting Maths to Real Life
In everyday life, mathematics appears in budgeting, architecture, sports statistics, traffic planning and even social media algorithms. Experiential learning brings these connections into the classroom. Projects like planning a small business, designing a garden, or analysing rainfall data allow students to see how mathematical thinking solves real problems.
When learners realize that maths is not confined to textbooks but actively shapes the world around them, their motivation and confidence grow.
Developing Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
The future does not belong to those who can merely apply formulas, but to those who can think mathematically. Experiential learning encourages experimentation, questioning and multiple solution paths. Students learn to make assumptions, test ideas, analyze mistakes and refine their thinking.
Such skills are essential not only for science and engineering, but also for economics, public policy and everyday decision-making.
Reducing Fear and Math Anxiety
One of the biggest challenges in mathematics education is math anxiety. Experiential learning creates a supportive environment where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities rather than failures. Group activities, games and hands-on tasks reduce pressure and promote collaboration.
When students are allowed to explore without fear of being “wrong,” they develop a healthier relationship with mathematics.
Aligning with the Needs of the 21st Century
With the rise of AI and automation, routine calculations are increasingly handled by machines. What humans need are skills like reasoning, modelling, interpretation and creativity—core outcomes of experiential learning. Modern education policies, including India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasize competency-based learning, interdisciplinary thinking and real-world application, all of which align naturally with experiential mathematics education.
The Role of Teachers and Schools
Experiential learning does not require expensive technology. Simple activities—using local data, everyday objects, community problems and classroom discussions—can transform maths teaching. Teachers become facilitators who guide exploration rather than just deliver answers.
The goal is not to cover more content, but to help students understand deeply and think independently.
Experiential learning in mathematics is no longer an educational luxury—it is a necessity. In a world defined by complexity and uncertainty, students must learn to reason, adapt and apply mathematical thinking beyond exams. By making maths meaningful, engaging and connected to life, experiential learning prepares learners not just to pass tests, but to face the future with confidence and clarity
Dr Vijay Garg Retired Principal Educational Columnist Eminent
Children’s ability to learn and understand changes at every stage of age from childhood to adolescence. There is a change in interests and behaviour. In many cases sensitivity is affected. In such a situation, it is important that the parents’ behaviour, way of explaining and guiding should also change according to these steps. The rule of 7-7-7 is related to understanding these changes related to parenting.
Generally, a child is considered to be just a child. This means that children according to age There should be different methods of understanding and explaining things, but there are not. We forget that the weather of childhood also changes at every stage of age. The learning ability of growing children changes. Their sensitivity is affected. Interests and inclinations change. There is a change in behaviour. The rule of 7-7-7 is related to understanding these changes related to parenting. A lovely rule of parenting in which child rearing has been easily divided into three stages. Under this rule, 0-7 to seven years of age are allowed to play and play. Age group of 4 has been kept for teaching and understanding. For growing children, the years beyond this, i.e., 14-21 years, have been linked to providing guidance. In fact, all three stages hold lessons for the parents to behave with their children according to their age, teach them and give direction to their mind and life. balance of life skills the first stage is related to living childhood in complete innocence. This time of sports and the thrill of learning everything new is also a time of knowing and understanding lovely things related to life skills. children speaking at this time Let’s learn. Understands how to recognize one’s loved ones. Curiosity to know the things around them starts growing in their innocent minds. Due to which children learn to ask questions. Make friends. Many try to understand human emotions. The age of 0-7 to seven years is a very sweet time for parents also. Children start feeling emotions like happiness and fear. They become afraid of darkness or loneliness at this time. They are also afraid of being scolded if something breaks or breaks. In this age group, the child should grow up in everything. That means we know how to follow others. Along with learning human behaviour skills, this is also the time to lay the foundation for good health of children. It is a beautiful stage to live their childhood happily and teach them healthy eating habits and how to speak, walk and understand their surroundings. stage of fostering understanding and
Guidance and morale boosting phase 14-21 is the period to provide right guidance to children. During this time, they enter adolescence into adulthood. That is why this age group is also very likely to give clear advice. This is the starting point of getting out of the house for studies and seeing the world. In such a situation, it is also necessary to maintain regular communication with the children. Studies also show that 13The age of 16 years is a stage of many important changes. During this time, children are not only worried about career and academic betterment but also struggle with many changes at the physical, mental, emotional and social levels. Children become aware of their own personality. A sense of understanding logical-practical aspects of life begins to emerge. They start understanding the meaning of their identity and their place in society, family or friend circle. This is a decisive stage that forms the foundation of life. as well as emotionally It is also a risky stage of breakdown. Cases of loss from life due to spontaneous attachment to someone, love affair, lagging behind in studies or falling alone are also more common at this age.
I would conclude by saying that emotional support from parents is very important during this challenging time. In these years, there is a need to nurture children’s effective personality, healthy lifestyle and strong sensitivities. Let’s not push for % lets work on concepts so that children do not run away from the subject.
(STRAIGHT TALK COMMUNICATIONS EXCLUSIVE)
