Humans have an innate understanding of numbers, but children won’t be able to do advanced math if they don’t learn the basics

In the 8th lesson of our EdBits series, GPE education and numeracy expert Deepa Srikantaiah explains the concept of the “mental number line”. Deepa shows that some basic numeracy skills are innate, while others need to be taught.

Without a formal education, children may be able to identify and use small numbers, up to about 30. Like the young street seller Deepa met in Bangalore, India, who was able to give her exact change when she bought incense for 15 rupees and gave the boy 20 rupees.

But beyond 25 or 30, the “mental number line” of children who have not been to school becomes fuzzy. Large numbers are jumbled together and children are not able to identify which one is greater:  89 or 98?

Research has shown that children cannot intuitively learn advanced mathematical skills, like multiplication, division, or fractions. Without a mathematics education, children are limited to manipulating small numbers. The speed and accuracy with which they carry out calculations decreases as the numbers get larger.

Therefore it is important to provide mathematics education to all children to ensure that they can continue to learn the advanced math concepts that they will need in their everyday lives. Watch the video to see Deepa explain this issue at the whiteboard: