diannecraft.org -- "Right Brain Math" by Dianne Craft MA, CNHP

In the animal kingdom fifty percent of the animals are “right paw dominant” and fifty percent are “left paw dominant.” This has been observed when animals press a lever to get more food or water. Human beings are fifty percent right brain dominant, and fifty percent left brain dominant, regardless of hand dominance. As we know, the majority of school curriculum and teaching methods are taught in a left brain manner. This is particularly true of math curriculum. Left brain dominant children learn their math facts easily by repeating them orally, practicing them in timed tests, and working with flash cards. This is the sequential way that works for the left brain, auditory learner. The right brain dominant child, however, likes and often requires a different approach both to memorizing facts, and performing calculation procedures. Let’s look at a model of the brain with its specialization of hemispheres:

LEFT BRAIN:

Details
Black & white
Data only
Repetition
sequential

AUDITORY

RIGHT BRAIN:

Whole picture
Colors
Rhythm, pictures
Emotions
Patterns

VISUAL

As we can see, the left and right hemispheres learn in a completely different manner. Many times a right brain child can learn left brain presented material. It's just easier for him to learn it in his style, so more energy is left to learn other things. Some children, because of a slight learning "glitch" need to have most things presented to them in their dominant learning mode in order to effectively store things in their memory.

When first and second graders learn how to add and subtract, they are frequently given manipulatives to aid them in understanding the concepts. Frequently, however, manipulatives are used longer than necessary and become a crutch, so that rapid calculation is unobtainable. Fingers replace the manipulatives, and continue to slow down the process of quick adding and subtracting. When a right brain child is presented with flash cards to help with the memorization process, frustration sets in. There are several methods that will serve to speed these processes immensely. One is the old fashioned method know as "Touch Math." In this method, the number visually shows the quantity it represents. For example, the number "5" has five dots drawn on it. When the child adds "7+5" he says the seven and touches the dots on the five, saying "eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve," as he does so. This eliminates the need to put down the pencil, and count fingers, which greatly slows things down. After this is successfully completed, the next step is to take a "picture" of the five with the dots on it, so the counting can be done with the eyes, instead of touching the dots with a pencil. This also leads to being able to do mental math, adding numbers quickly without the need for pencil, paper or fingers.

To learn the number facts using flashcards, since the right brain child learns best when he sees the "whole picture," put the ANSWER ON THE FRONT OF THE FLASHCARD, preferably in color. Then have him look up at it, just as he does to learn his spelling words. With the answer on the front, (which left brainers tend to think of as cheating), the child learns to see the problem with the answer, so that when just the problem is presented, in his mind's eye he can still see the answer, usually in the color you originally had it. You can also place the adding fact on a triangle, putting thirteen on the top of the triangle, with the eight plus five on each corner. Place this up high, so the child has to look up at it, further stimulating his right brain visual memory. Thus, when the child sees a thirteen and a five, he knows the eight is missing. Adding and subtracting can be taught in one step, using this method.

Multiplication fact memorization can be a real source of frustration for a right brainer, and can keep him from going on to more difficult math because of this block. These facts can actually be very easy to learn, when using a right brain friendly method. Right brainers learn anything easier when emotion, color, or stories are added to the learning method. For example, when learning the math fact, "8x3=24," a picture story could be made, creating the number 8 as an eighth grader who has to babysit the neighbor's 3 year old while they go out for just an hour. He thinks he's too old to babysit, and besides, this 3 year old is a naughty little boy who doesn't listen to anybody. Put "hands" on the "hips" of the number 8, representing his indignation at the whole idea. When he goes to babysit the 3 year old, he jumps on the couch the whole time. Sketch a couch on which the number three is jumping, represented by lines going up. The eighth grader looks through the window on the door, and sees the "mom and dad", 24 walking up. The number two is dad, with a hat on, and number four is mom with a purse hanging from her "arm." He knows he's going to be in trouble because the three year old was jumping on the couch the whole time. If you draw the picture while telling the story, it's like "chalk talk" and makes a lasting impression on the child. You will find that with the combination of an emotion filled story, and the pictures, he will remember it easily. Then put the 24 in a division box, with the 8 on the outside. They immediately know which one is missing. Do this same process putting the 24 in the division box with the 3 on the outside, and they will know that the 8 is missing, because of the story. Thus you have taught the multiplication fact, and division fact at the same time. You can either make up your own emotion filled stories and pictures for the facts that your child is having difficulty memorizing, or you can order them ready made. For ready-made multiplication cards with stories and color, go to the website: www.diannecraft.org Since the right brain is also responsible for longterm memory, you will find that you won't have to re-teach the facts, as you have done before. Many homeschoolers tell me that their child learned the multiplication facts in a week, after struggling for years to memorize them. I know that God will bless you as you search for ways to make learning easier and more enjoyable for all of your children.

Dianne Craft has a Master's Degree in special education and is a Certified Natural Health Professional. She has a private consultation practice, CHILD DIAGNOSTICS, Inc., in Littleton, Colorado. Her website, www.diannecraft.org has information about her tape series, "The Biology of Behavior", that gives more insight into natural remedies for children. 303-694-0532.