- Acquiring problem-solving skills via math algorithms taught during elementary school sets children up for better problem-solving skills in later school and in the workforce.
- The basic math algorithms are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
- Elementary school children learn math algorithms more easily by relating math algorithms to real-life situations, which can serve as models for math, such as sharing and borrowing.
- A child's understanding of addition can be fortified by a real-life application, such as giving pencils to a friend in need.
- A real-life situation, such as borrowing a candy bar from a friend, can help a child better understand subtraction.
- Here is an example model for multiplication for a child: "You have two candy canes, and two of your friends, who also have two candy canes, give you their candy canes, which gives you a total of six candy canes."
- Sharing a 12-slice pizza among six friends is an ideal way to exemplify division to a child.
