The presented video reflects one of the primary and fundamental aspects of mathematics – verbal counting. This exercise examines ordinal counting from one to a specified number, teaches children to read the number dropped on the dice, and then correlate it with specific movements (“Movement Counts”). Although the considered aspects are basic, their study is extremely important. Through visual play and exercise, children learn to count out loud using English words, thereby laying the foundation for understanding both language and mathematics. The fact that learning occurs through physical play activity makes this method even more attractive and vital. Firstly, for many children, as the video says, it is necessary to make some specific movements in the learning process (“Movement Counts”). Second, the use of exercise immediately correlates the science being studied with the applied reality, thus using muscle memory as well. Thirdly, the game format makes learning for children much more positive and fun than simple cramming and simply trying to memorize the necessary words and numbers.
Finally, perhaps the most important factor regarding this type of education is the possibility of its implementation even in a group of children who do not speak English. As seen from the video, the group with which the woman is engaged consists mainly of representatives of Asian nationalities (“Movement Counts”). However, for most of them, doing the exercises is not a problem since there is a visual tool in pictures and physical movements that do not need a translation. Thus, this kind of activity is greatly supported by Dual Language Learners – children for whom learning English goes along with learning their native language. This approach allows them to memorize new words in a pleasant, playful way, without any pressure. Since the movements are visual and understandable without translations thanks to colorful illustrations, children can combine physical and mental activity, more actively stimulating both the study of mathematics and a language that is not native to them.
Reference
“Movement Counts.” Erikson Institute. n.d. Web.