If you’re like me, I had no idea my child wasn’t catching on in Math until the teacher informed me that my daughter just didn’t “GET IT”.
I was very worried for her because all of her friends had absolutely no problems and I didn’t want my child to be different. I didn’t want her to be singled out, teased, feel like a failure, dread school or hate math.
I was aware that there were many diverse learning styles but I just didn’t know how to reach her.
The teacher told me that “repetition was mandatory in order for her to commit the facts to memory” She also explained the importance that Brenda needed to learn these basic math skills while she is young in order for her to keep up with the following years and the more difficult concepts yet to come.
She obviously needed further repetition and practice at home and I was definitely not looking forward to it. I had to figure out a way of helping her and not make a chore for both of us- something quick, simple and something to look forward to rather than a dreaded boring task.
I found that I could disguise those repetitious drills in the form of a game.
I developed several games which were a tremendous success with Brenda. Math games proved to be the answer!
Inspired by Brenda’s success, I brought the games to the classroom…
The teacher was so impressed with them that she had me come back on a weekly basis to use them with her students.
She felt the games helped the kids reinforce and consolidate the concept that she had just taught and that the games enhanced their learning and encouraged students to deepen their understanding.
Over the next five years teachers repeatedly asked me to come up with innovative games to help review difficult math concepts.
Teachers always commented on how much their students loved the games.
I paid close attention to those kids who needed the extra help much like my daughter. It was so gratifying watching the kids wanting to play my games then especially wonderful when their faces light up and I knew that they “got it”.
One of the most popular games is “Countin’ Mountain” I created this game to help students to understand how to subtract. The teacher realized that this game was special when her students asked to play it every day. It was in 2007 that I decided to form a company and launch my first educational game.
Today, my daughter is acing her grade 10 math exams. I am so glad that I helped her when she was young because I am no longer capable of assisting her.
