Are We Overemphasizing Manipulatives in the Primary Grades to the Detriment of Girls?

Abstract

In keeping with the Equity Principle of the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM 2000), educators must maintain high expectations for all children and continually examine their practices to ensure that all children learn mathematics with understanding. The instructional practice of using manipulatives for problem solving merits closer examination because it may send the wrong message to some children. Recent research indicates that some girls' understanding seems to be limited by their overreliance on manipulatives. Before presenting the research findings, I will outline the role of manipulatives in supporting the development of children's understanding, then examine how this promising practice can be detrimental when used too often.