Strategies to Overcome Mathematics Learning Difficulties Using a Play-Based Method to Teaching Rational Numbers

Learning mathematics is one of the most challenging areas of comprehensive education, requiring conceptual thinking, logical consistency, and abstract perception. Research findings show that pupils find it particularly difficult to make the transition from natural to rational numbers, as this transition changes their previously acquired understanding of number structure (Rodrigues et al., 2024). This chapter considers strategies for overcoming difficulties in learning mathematics among sixth-grade pupils when teaching the addition and subtraction of rational numbers. In order to promote achievement in mathematics, effective, innovative, and engaging ways of teaching not only basic numeracy skills but also more advanced mathematical abilities, such as a deep understanding of rational numbers, are needed. Given the difficulties many pupils have in thinking about rational numbers, traditional teaching methods should be reviewed and supplemented with new teaching methods that help to increase their knowledge of rational numbers.