‘Approach maths practically to develop interest in it’

Driven by maths, 55-year-old Leena Bhate is busy generating interest of young ones in the subject. Bhate has written several mathematics scholarship books especially for standard IV and VII students. She was the first maths teacher at Janaprobhodini High School, Nigdi. She worked for eight years but left her job to take care of her children. Looking at her passion, the school asked Bhate to guide students for competitive exams. For nearly 25 years, Bhate has been coaching students. She is responsible for shaping the careers of several students in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Bhate shares her experience and her love for maths with Archana Dahiwal.

Q: How can one develop interest of schoolchildren in maths?
A: Children are like wet-clay; parents and teachers give shape to them. It is very important to find out the basic interest of a child but mathematics plays a very important role in school curriculum as well as in real life. So parents should try innovative ways to create interest in the subject among children. For instance, collect coins and currencies for them. Send them to grocery shops and vegetable markets, which will help them in calculating mentally. Children enjoy practical activities. Home, especially kitchen, is the best platform to learn maths skills. Basic maths like fractions, rank in row, grids, shapes, addition and subtractions can be taught from kitchen activities. Do not confine children to table-chair. Give chalks to them and allow them to write. Once children start enjoying, they develop interest. Once interest develops, they will definitely learn easily.
 
Q: Why is maths an important subject at least till standard X?
A: Maths is essential as it increases grasping power and concentration of a child tremendously. These two skills help in other subjects and overall in life.

Q: Which type of mathematics competitive exams are useful
for children?
A: For appearing in any exam, parents must realise the aptitude of their children and nature of the exam. It is important to study regularly if students wish to appear in competitive exams. There are numerous exams for middle school and high schoolchildren. But do not force your child to appear for two exams Simultaneously. Think of their age while selecting any exam. There are certain international level maths exams that provide a graph of your child’s performance like where he/she lacks and the child’s strong points. These exams will help in children’s growth.