Maths through Stories and Games

The mathematician’s patterns, like the painter’s or the poet’s must be beautiful; the ideas, like the colours or the words must fit together in a harmonious way. Beauty is the first test: there is no permanent place in the world for ugly mathematics.

— G.H. Hardy

In a world that thinks of education through a post-Enlightenment lens, we need to hear Hardy’s words more than ever. Maths is beautiful. Maths is to be enjoyed and deeply understood from an early age. I am no mathematician so I won’t tell you how to teach it or what curriculum to use, but my children and I do play lots of maths games and read engaging picture books. These help bring the subject alive, cement ideas and compliment rigorous study.

Here is a list of our favourites – perhaps you’ll find a Christmas present or two?!