What is reasoning? Why is reasoning and problem solving important to teach in modern primary education?

What is reasoning? Why is reasoning and problem solving important to teach in modern primary education?  

What is reasoning you may ask? Reasoning is the act of thinking about something in a sensible or logical way and allows children to make sense and make links between the mathematics they are using. Many would argue that the ability to reason has become a statutory and essential part of a success in education. By following a line of enquiry, children should reason mathematically by developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language.

Mathematical reasoning is the critical skill that enables a child to make use of all other mathematical skills. With the development of mathematical reasoning, children begin to recognise that mathematics can make sense and can be understood. Reasoning enables children to learn how to evaluate situations, use problem-solving strategies to draw upon logical conclusions and develop and describe solutions, and recognise how those solutions can be applied.

It is important that teachers make it clear to the classroom that mathematics is not only for ‘clever people’ this will become the first step of progress so that we can transform attitudes and achievements in mathematics, giving learners the tools and skills to reason mathematically. All investigations begin with a question. Teachers should be helping children develop their ability to ask questions effectively. Every question in turn can lead to ideas being challenged and new ones being generated. This in turn results in new questions. This is an essential tool for education and everyday life.

Reasoning is all about asking children the right questions, such as What If? This type of question can help them to develop higher order thinking skills. The reason for this is because they are encountering an unknown problem or dilemma. To answer these type of questions they must be able to recall known information, form basic concepts, think critically and form creative ideas. More importantly, there are no right or wrong answers, the children simply need to be able to justify their reasoning.

The skills of reasoning and problem solving are well-known to all primary maths teachers. They play an essential role in helping children to gain a deeper understanding of the topic. Problem-solving questions are more often than not open-ended, with more than one right answer, allowing children the ability to discuss.  It is important that children are taught reasoning and problem solving as they are important skills for all ages and abilities. Problem solving plays a prominent role in the mathematics education. Reasoning and problem solving is an important lesson as it provides situations that can give children opportunities for exploring, discussing, experimenting with, and attempting to make sense of mathematical ideas. It is best effective when the teacher does not tell the children how to solve the problems present, choosing instead to support them in solving it out on their own. Through reasoning and problem solving children can work through a number of confusions and misconceptions in the subject and engage in debating and discussion.

Besides reaping academic benefits, improving children’s logical reasoning skills could also help children be better at being better able to handle his/her emotions and behaviours. Improving this skill also helps the child think more rationally instead of being impulsive. With these reasoning and problem solving skills, children would be more skilled to solving complex problem solving situations calmly, which also assist the decision making process.

It is common knowledge that Children are naturally curious and learn to make sense of their world through exploration, questioning and reasoning. As children get older they become more self conscious of their own inquisitiveness and tend not to express or supported it as much as they previously would. This is unfortunate because learning to use mathematics in meaningful ways requires being curious, asking a lot of questions and reasoning to be able to problem solve. Through reasoning, children can connect ideas their ideas, gain a deeper understanding and ultimately an enjoyment of maths. In a nutshell it is through reasoning and problem solving that they learn that maths makes sense.

Reference list

Hwrkmagazine.co.uk. (2019). What is reasoning ? | HWRK. [online] Available at: https://www.hwrkmagazine.co.uk/curriculum/what-is-reasoning [Accessed 28 Apr. 2019].

Archive.dimacs.rutgers.edu. (2019). [online] Available at: http://archive.dimacs.rutgers.edu/nj_math_coalition/framework/ch01-04/ch01-04_s4.html [Accessed 28 Apr. 2019].

FutureLearn. (2019). The importance of thinking and reasoning skills. [online] Available at: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/teaching-primary-science-getting-started/0/steps/40226 [Accessed 28 Apr. 2019].

Child Development. (2019). Logical Reasoning and its Benefits - Child Development. [online] Available at: http://thinkersbox.com/logical-reasoning-and-its-benefits/#close-modal [Accessed 28 Apr. 2019].

3P Learning. (2019). Making sense of mathematics through reasoning - 3P Learning. [online] Available at: http://www.3plearning.com/blog/making-sense-mathematics-reasoning-2/ [Accessed 28 Apr. 2019].