The mathematical skills of Finnish children and adolescents are in decline. One reason for this is that adults in the young child’s environment do not sufficiently recognise settings where early mathematics skills can be practised in everyday situations: during play, physical activity and exploration.
Moreover, the opportunities of Finnish children to practise their mathematics skills in early childhood education, pre-primary education and at home vary greatly, affecting their skills when they embark on their school paths.
A project entitled Math Buzz, coordinated by the University of Helsinki, is now tackling this challenge.
“Previous attempts to provoke interest in mathematics have reached particularly effectively families and professionals who are already interested in mathematics to begin with. The groups most in need of support still remain excluded,” says University Lecturer Kati Sormunen from the University of Helsinki, the project’s coordinator.
Math Buzz brings mathematics to families and professionals
“People who are not interested in mathematics naturally don’t find their way to math on their own, which is why we have to reach out to them,” says University Lecturer Jenni Vartiainen, who is in charge of the project’s societal impact.
The project will carry out a Finnish- and Swedish-language tour throughout Finland, and will make sure to include other large language groups. The tour includes training days for professionals and family events where mathematics is presented as an easily approachable thing associated with any given everyday situation.
“We aim to reach on the grassroots level especially those families that typically don’t recognise mathematical content in everyday situations, as well as professionals working with children who do not seek continuing education in mathematics or are not motivated by training available online,” Sormunen says.
Math Buzz harnesses social media to inspire learning mathematics
Social media is known to affect both parents’ notions of raising and educating children as well as the educational outlook and teaching methods of those working in early childhood education. Both early childhood education professionals and families are seeking tips for teaching and education on social media.
“In Finland, we still lack a professional social media operator who would aim to highlight research-based knowledge on early math skills in an interesting and easy way, as well as to disseminate practical ideas for everyday life that take different language groups into consideration,” Vartiainen notes.
Math Buzz shapes adult attitudes
Families have a significant role in supporting the development of mathematical skills, as they do not develop on their own. Children who are not offered the opportunity to practise their mathematical skills before school age are particularly at risk of learning difficulties in mathematics, which affects learning and skills later in life.
Adult attitudes constitute a significant obstacle to children honing their early mathematics skills. In addition, it can often be challenging for adults to recognise the abundant opportunities for learning mathematics present in everyday life.
“Besides disseminating knowledge, we aim to contribute to increasing positive attitudes towards learning mathematics,” Sormunen emphasises.
Learning mathematics through play and physical activity
The goal is to identify and utilise everyday learning environments to develop young children’s mathematical skills regardless of children’s language, cultural and family backgrounds. The project aims to increase children’s opportunities to learn mathematics through play, physical activity and exploration.
The Math Buzz project is carried out in cooperation with the University of Jyväskylä, Åbo Akademi University, the Finnish Association for Teachers of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Informatics (MAOL) and ten other partners. Running from 2025 to 2028, the project has been granted a total of €1.46 million in funding by the Technology Industries Finland’s Centennial Foundation.