The Singapore method is one of the most interesting and effective when it comes to helping children learn mathematics. It is a system that gives prominence to the student and helps them develop their critical thinking.

What is the Singapore method?

When we talk about the Singapore method, we refer to a methodology based on different pedagogical principles. All of them have the objective of promoting learning through experimentation and participation. It owes its name to the Asian country in which it was born.

Specifically, the Singapore method for mathematics emerged from the studies of Jerome Brunner, Zoltan Dienes and Rickard Skemp. These three pedagogues relied on Lev Vygotsky's theories to develop his work.

This method revolves around problem solving. This is why it is so effective for learning mathematics. Although it is useful for almost all students up to 14-16 years old, it is more effective for younger children. For this reason, it is common for it to be taught to students of the Infant Degree.

The child is taught to reason before fully immersing him in the surgical technique. The objective is to solve problems, understand them and interpret them. They will practically resolve themselves.

What are the fundamental principles and stages of the Singapore method?

First of all, we have to explain that it places the child at the center of everything. That is, it makes him the protagonist of his own learning. Likewise, it starts from the concrete to, little by little, arrive at the abstract knowledge that is so important in subjects such as mathematics.

Jerome Brunner was in charge of designing the learning model for this method. To do this, he gave absolute priority to visual content and situations inspired by everyday life. He divided it into three stages, which are as follows:

-Concrete stage. It is the first of all and consists of presenting the problem. In it the child is invited to explore and manipulate a series of objects. This is the case, for example, of Mathlink cubes or fraction towers.

-Visual stage. Once the first phase has been completed, it is time to model the problem that the student faces. At this point, the objects we mentioned above are replaced by images that symbolize them. This allows the problem to be presented in a schematic way.

-Abstract stage. After the two previous stages, the student must be confronted with the desired mathematical operation. The advantage is that, thanks to them, you will have understood concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.

Therefore, we can verify that the Singapore method is based on problem solving to guarantee student learning.

But he also states that the best way to reinforce the knowledge acquired is through the assimilation of new ones. Another of the basic principles of the Singapore method in early childhood is verbalization, a dialogue, both with the teacher and among them.

This verbalization translates into better metacognition, a concept that refers to the ability to understand a problem-solving strategy and its effectiveness. Making mistakes is an essential part of the learning process.

Learning is done in a progressive way. You always start from simple elements to, little by little, increase the difficulty by adding new content.
Keeps students motivated.

Children always work with materials that are part of their daily lives. In addition, they must manipulate them, which is of great help to become familiar with them and their use.

Promotion of experimentation and creativity. Since it is the students themselves who must find solutions to the problems posed. The teacher's role is to act as a guide to acquire knowledge. For their part, children who learn mathematics through the Singapore method develop greater skills in mental calculation.

Today, the Singapore method is part of educational programs in more than 70 countries around the world.