PENANG, 6 February 2014 - A group of academics from School of Educational Studies (PPIP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) introduced an effective method to produce children who are smart in mathematics through special techniques that is incorporated in the LazyMath & Easy Art (LEA) programme.

The School of Educational Studies (PPIP) Dean, Professor Dato’ Dr. Abdul Rashid Mohamed said that LEA is a method of teaching emphasises on “learn how to learn” and “learning to think” and “do the right thing” aspects.

He said LEA was designed specifically by using the Q-Brain method which is quantum (speed / fast), quality, quantity, situation, conducive learning environment and continuous effort to render mathematics as a fun subject, not a bored or complicated.

“LEA emphasized specifically on the basics of learning by instilling an interest in children as young as three-years-old to perceive and understand numbers as something fun,” he said.

He said this at a special press conference to introduce the programme which is currently being undertaken by USM through a weekend class called Advanced Guidance Education System (AGES), conducted by the Research Unit of Basic Education, PPIP.

LEA is more like a two-way learning programme for teachers, parents and children to understand the design and patterns of the numbers thus enabling the brain to solve math problems easily.

He also said that to ensure the success of their curriculum, especially in mathematics, the foundation of mathematics literacy needs to be seen as the main factor to consolidate.

“If in the early stages kids do not possess interest and inquisitiveness for numbers (number sense), what happens is that they will just memorise only to sit for examinations.

“By memorizing, the kids will experience pressure and stress, especially when the subject becomes more sophisticated and complicated by the chapters,'' he said.

Abdul Rashid added that mathematics is an important subject that should be mastered, not memorised and LEA provides the proper method to learn the subject characterised by the brain training aspect that can be used by everyone, allowing the brain to store memory and most importantly, enjoyable.

He added that 300 primary school students in Penang participated in the programme and so far the results have been very encouraging with the participants exposed to fun in learning.

“Some kids are born gifted with the ability to have excellent brain and thus grew up with variety of advantages over others and they can be categorised as a natural genius.

“However, with the expertise and precise understanding among researchers about the growth and ability of a child’s brain, a genius can be created through an on-going programme, appropriate training and exposure in accordance with their development,” he said.

Abdul Rashid said that through the programme that was developed in collaboration with an industrial partner, Sterling Management, he managed to train the child to optimise the stimulation of their brain capability. – Translation: Sharifah Darweena Syed Ahmad Amir Feisal/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa