multibeads
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multibeads Maths jewellery for children, especially those with Special Educational Needs. A visual aid to help with multiplication that is tactile and easy to use. Multibeads assist the child’s learning and are fun to wear. Children are increasingly struggling with maths. Multibeads help children to visualise numbers and help to prompt learning times tables, which are vital building blocks. Multibeads can be purchased as bracelets, on lanyards and as necklaces, they are for children of any age but can also be used by young adults with SEN and are meant to occupy hands as well as help learn times tables. They are available for the three- to nine-times tables and with a variety of finishes. Variations The beads come in different colours and materials to meet each child’s individual needs. A range of beads with thermocromatic inks allow the beads to change colour with heat contact, and aromatic inks provide different stimulus for the children. Communication The beads aim to increase communication between the child and those around them. Multibeads can be used with a parent or teacher, and will encourage communication with other children if they wish to swap or collect the beads.
how they work Each set of ten beads represents a times table. These diagrams show the five times table. Each bead in this set has five prongs, to represent each “set” of five.
1 6
1
5
2
4
3
=5
5
5
2
10
2 7
4
9
3
= 10
8
25
2
20
10
= 25
15
Five multiplied by one is five, count the prongs. (See left) Five multiplied by two requires two beads, so count the prongs here, and you get 10. (See centre) As the child develops the product will help them to count in fives and use the bracelets more quickly. Multibeads also represent visually what five multiplied by two looks like, rather than “5 x 2” written down which means very little to children.
multibeads karli dendy product design bsc 07939447479 karli.dendy@googlemail.com
multibeads