Mathematics through sport and movement

Mathematics is often one of the first subjects children come to believe they are either “good at” or “not good at”. For some, it sparks curiosity and confidence. For others, it can quickly become a source of frustration, anxiety, or disengagement.

The Let’s Play Maths project, co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, explores a different way of approaching mathematics: through movement, sport, cooperation, and play.

Coordinated by PLAY International, the project brings together partners from France, Romania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia and aims to make mathematics more engaging and accessible for children aged 6 to 9. In Romania, the project is implemented by Asociația Edulifelong, which supports teachers in exploring how sport-based games can become meaningful learning contexts.

When sport becomes a context for mathematics

The Let’s Play Maths approach is based on a simple idea: children take part in physical activities and sports games, while mathematical concepts are integrated into these experiences.

Four games have been developed as part of the project, each linked to different mathematical objectives.

A cup relay game helps children practise counting. A throwing game introduces precision, addition, and mental calculation. In another activity, children collect balls and organise them on a counter, practising forming tens and understanding place value. The fourth game uses jumping and teamwork to introduce the measurement of length.

The physical component is very real: children run, throw, jump, and work together. The physical challenge itself is not a mathematics problem. The connection with mathematics comes through the way the game is designed and through the discussion that follows the activity, when the experience can be connected to the mathematical concepts being explored.

Another advantage of these games is their flexibility. Teachers can modify certain elements of an activity to suit the children’s level and the learning objectives. The same activity can therefore be simplified or made more challenging depending on the group.

From teacher training to real activities in schools

In Romania, Asociația Edulifelong translated and adapted the Let’s Play Maths Handbook, the practical guide developed within the project, and organised training for teachers.

The training took place in two series, in January and March 2026, with 40 teachers taking part. Participants explored the games, how to facilitate them, and ways of adapting the activities to different educational contexts.

To enable the activities to continue after the training, participating schools received complete sports equipment sets needed to run the games.

Teachers are now being supported and monitored as they implement the activities in schools, during school hours, with pupils aged 6 to 9. The games have been piloted in schools in Romania, with further activities planned in the coming months.

The first sessions have also shown something very practical: when the weather allows, these games can easily be taken outdoors, giving children the space they need to run, throw, and jump. The equipment provided through the project is therefore being put to real use in activities with pupils.

Mathematics does not always have to look like a mathematics lesson

Let’s Play Maths does not aim to replace mathematics with sport or to turn every lesson into a game. The idea is simpler: sometimes, a physical and practical experience can provide a different context in which children can encounter and practise mathematical concepts.

For teachers, this means seeing a game not simply as an active break or warm-up activity, but as a learning opportunity that can be clearly connected to mathematical objectives.

For children, it means moving, cooperating, trying again, and discovering that mathematics can also appear in contexts where they may not expect to find it.

By combining movement with play, and play with learning, Let’s Play Maths provides teachers with practical tools for creating mathematics activities that are more dynamic, flexible, and accessible for children aged 6 to 9.

Let’s Play Maths

Project reference: 2024-1-FR01-KA220-SCH-000252562

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