11 Nov Making Sense of Math: Why I Recommend Greg Tang’s “Math Makes Sense!”

Posted at 21:42h in Learning Disabilities by

Making sense of math is something I often discuss with clients and families. A correct answer matters, but I also want students to understand what the numbers represent, why a strategy works, and whether the answer makes sense.

That is why I am sharing Greg Tang’s “Math Makes Sense!”, available on the Tang Math Games YouTube channel. The video’s focus on visualization, reasoning, and number sense connects closely with this message. I recommend it as a starting point for parents, educators, and students who want to think differently about learning math.

Watch: Greg Tang — Math Makes Sense!

Watch the video on YouTube. Video credit: Greg Tang / Tang Math Games.

Help the numbers mean something

When working with a child, try asking, “What is happening in this problem?” before asking which calculation to perform. A drawing, a number line, or a few everyday objects can give you a shared way to talk about the quantities.

For example, consider 8 + 7. One way to explore it is to split 7 into 2 and 5: add 2 to 8 to make 10, then add the remaining 5 to get 15. Draw the groups or move counters to show that the total stays the same. This example illustrates how a calculation can become a relationship the child can explain.

Make room for the child’s reasoning

Here are a few questions to try during homework or an everyday math conversation:

  • “Can you show me what that number means?”
  • “How did you figure that out?”
  • “Could we solve it another way?”
  • “About how big should the answer be?”

Give the child time to respond. If an explanation is difficult, offer to draw or build the problem together. Keep the conversation curious and manageable; it does not need to become another test.

A conversation worth having

Practice and understanding both deserve a place in learning math. My encouragement to families is to make space for the “why” alongside the steps and answers.

Watch Greg Tang’s video, then choose one idea to discuss together. Ask your child what made sense, what was surprising, and what they would like to explore further.

If you would like to discuss concerns about your child’s learning, visit NeuroPsych Doctor to request a consultation.