BRAINLIGHT SINGAPORE MATHS: TEACHING KIDS TO BE PROBLEM SOLVERS AND THINKERS

Last Saturday was a very productive and busy day for me. I already had 1 event in the morning which is the Techlife Expo and after lunch was the "Kwentuhang Mommies" organized By Arla Milk. Right after my 2nd event, I already went straight to BrainLight Learning Center to attend its Parent Session which luckily is located just one street away from where I came from.

Personally, I have been hearing about Singapore Math ever since I became a mom. I have been constantly doing research for the benefit of my daughter's academic development. Although, I’ve never really had a chance to learn more about it until I was invited to Brainlight Learning Center’s Parent Session. 

SO WHO IS BRAINLIGHT LEARNING CENTER

BrainLight Learning Center (BLC) offers an after-school Maths Enrichment Programme based on the world-renowned Singapore Mathematics Curriculum set by the Ministry of Education of Singapore (MOE). The program focuses on developing problem-solving skills by providing students with well-thought opportunities through a conceptual understanding of math principles, visualization using various strategies such as bar models, variation in activities for in-depth understanding and a spiral approach of topics from kindergarten to primary level.

What is Singapore Math

Singapore math is a teaching method or approach originally developed in Singapore to teach students to learn and master fewer mathematical concepts at greater detail as well as having them learn these concepts using a three-step learning process: concrete, pictorial, and abstract. Students engage in hands-on learning experiences using concrete objects such as chips, dice, or paper clips which is then followed by drawing pictorial representations of mathematical concepts. Students then solve mathematical problems in an abstract way by using numbers and symbols.

Brainlight Learning Center Singapore Maths

At Brainlight Learning Center, kids will learn Math beyond the numbers and develop a better thinking process. 

Concrete- Pictorial-Abstract teaching approach

Basically, Brainlight Learning Center prepares each child to be more knowledgeable and to become competent learners. The lessons are strategically prepared to enhance the knowledge of each student and to challenge their minds. 

Why choose Brainlight Singapore Maths?

World-Renowned Program —

They have brought this method to the Philippines to help the kids excel in Math and at the same time help them better understand math concepts. What’s nice about this program is that they also integrate values like patience, persistence, and discipline. Each child will learn how to maximize their skills and they will develop a good study habit too!  

The use of math manipulative is one of the teaching strategies used to strengthen the understanding of math concepts. This hands-on experience allows kids to learn math facts in a fun way!

Develops Number Sense, Visualization, and Metacognition—

It uses a Model Method as one of its strategies to represent abstract ideas. This method also teaches the kids a pre-algebra and mental computation techniques.

 They foster number sense in students.

Emphasis on Problem Solving-Skills —

It Focused on developing problem-solving skills as the heart of its program.

Enhances Critical Thinking and Application Skills—

This included drawing diagrams and models, listing systematic lists, simplifying problems, looking for patterns, guess and check etc...

Most children (even adults) find fractions difficult to understand. This is often because fraction notation is taught procedurally with no meaning-making.

Children, therefore, struggle to relate the symbol to the actual concept and end up doing work mechanically by memorizing meaningless steps.

In Singapore Maths, the understanding of fractions is based on the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) model, where children use hands-on manipulative to learn the link between the concrete concept and the abstract numbers.

After learning about this teaching method, I wish I underwent Singapore Math curriculum in my younger years. With this method, you will learn that math is not all about operations nor topics —it's about learning how to THINK, MAKE SENSE and REASON OUT.

Aside from Singapore Math, BLC also offers The English Language Program. This program is designed to help students develop grammar skills and build theme-based vocabulary.

To learn more about Singapore Math and English Language Program from Brainlight, visit them now at Unit 317 McKinley Park Residences, 3rd Avenue, BGC Taguig or send them an email at blc.singaporemaths@gmail.com