Gamifying Maths for Children

Like most parents, I sometimes find it difficult to persuade my kids to do their homework without them putting up some sort of fight.

My most recent battle was with my six-year-old, who had been asked to practice his 2, 5 and 10 times tables. He argued that it wasn’t proper homework and that he didn’t need to practice as he already knew them … so, after ten minutes of arguing and a few more minutes of tears (him) we sat and practised his times tables.

I can see why he didn’t want to do them, the homework was an interruption taking him away from being a LEGO® Ninja on the iPad and, well, that’s it.

Not wanting our argument to forever enter his mind at the mention of times tables, I decided to do something about it and build a game that he’d enjoy playing, that would also help him practice his maths. What’s more, I even gave the game a ninja theme!

Like it or not, children don't always enjoy learning, especially when they could be playing instead, but it’s up to us as parents/carers/teachers to be creative and try to find whatever it is that inspires our children.

The next battle on the horizon is trying to convince him that music lessons are a good idea, Musical Ninjas anyone?

Click the link to play our Ninja Maths School game.

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