Puppets, Play, and Proof: How One Girl Found Confidence in Maths

🧩 When she first walked into Thinking Pathways, she was quiet, withdrawn, and visibly anxious about numbers. Diagnosed with dyscalculia—a learning difficulty that affects numerical understanding—this young girl had spent years feeling defeated by maths. But today, she sits at our table, confidently playing games like Adsumudi and Proof!, laughing as she solves equations with her puppet companions.

Her transformation didn’t happen overnight. It began with trust, creativity, and a safe space to explore maths without fear.

We introduced her to maths through play. Games like Proof! helped her recognize patterns and build number fluency in a fun, low-pressure environment. Adsumudi challenged her to find multiple ways to reach a target number, encouraging flexible thinking and boosting her confidence. But the real breakthrough came when we added puppets to the mix.

🎭 Pretend play became our secret weapon. The puppets weren’t just props—they were her teammates. They made mistakes, asked silly questions, and celebrated small wins. With them, she felt safe to try, fail, and try again. Maths stopped being a source of shame and started becoming a shared adventure.

Week by week, her timidity faded. She began speaking up, asking questions, and even teaching the puppets how to solve problems. Her posture changed. Her smile grew. And her confidence soared.

💡 Learning Through Connection

At Thinking Pathways, we believe that every child deserves a learning experience tailored to their emotional and cognitive needs. For students with dyscalculia, traditional methods often fall short. That’s why we use games, storytelling, and imaginative play to make maths accessible and enjoyable.

Our goal isn’t just to teach maths—it’s to help children feel brave enough to learn it.

🌱 A Tutor Who Understands

If your child struggles with maths, don’t settle for one-size-fits-all solutions. Seek a tutor who:

• Creates a safe, nurturing space

• Uses creative tools to build understanding

• Celebrates effort, not just accuracy

• Understands the emotional side of learning

This photo is more than a snapshot of a game—it’s a symbol of transformation. A timid girl found her voice, her courage, and her joy in learning. And it all started with a puppet, a card game, and a tutor who believed in her.