Home » Education & Career » Math for Kids » Introducing Fractional Numbers (I)

Introducing Fractional Numbers (I)

© Vidya Narayan Wadadekar

Before we will introduce fractional numbers children would have some idea about at least Two fractional number: half and a quarter. However, their idea about half will be often vague, misconceived. This is because we as parents have permitted and encouraged them to work with imperfect models. To a preschool child, one-half of a cake often means nothing more than not taking all of the cake. Such an idea of imperfect half is not permissible in the concept of fractions.

Fractional numbers are based on perfect congruent parts of a whole. Therefore, the first concept that must be developed by teachers is the concept of congruence. Then only we can have a model we refer to as halves or thirds or fourths and so on.

We can provide some techniques to children for checking congruent measures. Some of the possible techniques are discussed below.

Visually checking something that has been partitioned along points or lines of symmetry, where it is clear that the partitioning has formed congruent parts or parts which perfectly fit on each other. This is the most common technique used for checking congruence of symmetrical figures. Give many colored card paper models to children and allow them to partition them into congruent parts. Initially select models for them that are easy to partition. Most regular polygons like squares, hexagon, and octagon children find easy to partition. These are shown below:

.

Do not give circular shapes as children find them difficult to partition.

Another important thing is to use thick cardboard stencil when you draw figures on the chalkboard for teaching congruence. Never draw figures without stencils, as you will never be able to draw squares of same sizes. Casually drawn squares using only chalk might not convey the idea of different fractions of the same whole.

Ask children to cut out one partitioned region or partitioned segment. Ask them to check by overlaying it on the other parts to see if it is congruent with other partitioned regions or segments. This activity is very useful in conveying the idea that fractional numbers have many equivalent names.

It is important to extend this idea of congruence to three-dimensional objects as well. Give them experiences with a cake. You can show them how cake can be cut into equal pieces so that everyone gets the same sized pieces. Also give them set of discrete objects like chocolates, cookies, counters, cards etc. and ask to partition. This activity also offers opportunity to extend the concept of congruence.

The copyright of the article Introducing Fractional Numbers (I) in Math for Kids is owned by . Permission to republish Introducing Fractional Numbers (I) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.