EXPERT ADVISORY — July 15, 2026 — R0062
Although math may not seem like an obvious addition to plans for summer activities, there are easy ways to make it part of the equation, says Olga Fellus.
The Brock University Assistant Professor of Educational Studies, who specializes in mathematics education, is sharing how everyday summer activities can help young learners develop their numeracy skills by recognizing math in the world around them.
Fellus, whose research explores the role math plays in forming identity, is encouraging families to rethink what math is during the school break.
“Mathematics is more than memorizing formulas or getting the right answer, and summer offers the perfect opportunity for families to engage with math through exploration, conversation and play,” she says.
Nature walks, for example, provide a rich opportunity for families to engage in logical thinking and employ math concepts.
It’s as easy as playing a game of “I Spy” during the walk and identifying shapes, Fellus says.
Many objects in nature are not Euclidian shapes studied in school — such as flat circles, triangles and 3D cubes — and that’s OK, she says.
“This is exactly where the beauty, richness and landscape of mathematics can suddenly open before your very eyes.”
Mathematical and logical thinking can be incorporated into everyday play for young children through games with strategizing steps and activities that have children put things in a logical sequence.
Opportunities to combine objects and build structures also open the door to more math development, she says.
On a trip to the local ice cream shop, for instance, children can think out loud about how many flavour combinations are possible and determine the order they sit in a cone.
At home, they can create a stuffed animal shelter out of boxes, with children deciding on the shape of the shelter after parents have outlined specific conditions. For example, the shelter may need to be strong to withstand wind (or a hair dryer) and rain (or a spray bottle).
No matter the activity, Fellus says “aha” moments come from identifying mathematical ways of thinking outside of a classroom setting and engaging in conversation with children about how math is part of the activities they are doing.
“This helps children understand that math is not just an equation in a textbook and can be identified in many enjoyable ways that help us follow our curiosity,” she says.
With math curriculums evolving dramatically over the past 50 years thanks to technology-embedded math tools, it is more important than ever for children to develop skills in coding, for example, and learn to make sense of processes and sequencing.
“There will always be right and wrong answers in math, but the broader conversation has shifted from calculations to an expanded field of computational thinking, fluency, flexibility and foresight,” she says.
Parents are important partners in making math fun and meaningful, Fellus says. The goal, she adds, is to get young learners excited about being back in the classroom this fall and making sense of mathematical ideas.
In the long run, she hopes to see students taking ownership over mathematical ideas with confidence and curiosity.
“Math is not only about memorizing procedures,” she says. “It’s about truly understanding the concepts behind mathematical ideas and connecting their importance to the human experience.”
Olga Fellus, Brock University Assistant Professor of Educational Studies, is available for media interviews on this topic.
For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
*Maryanne St. Denis, Associate Director, Strategic Communications, Brock University, [email protected] or 905-246-0256
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