6 Ways to support spatial reasoning skills online

With much of the emphasis on verbal and math aptitudes because they are measured on mandatory standardized testing, spatial reasoning is not a priority in most schools. This skill, which we find to be of value in activities as joyful as dancing and as practical as fitting the family’s suitcases into the trunk of a car, is often completely overlooked and rarely recognized as a gift. Even when adults use spatial language or suggest activities such as building with blocks to young people, studies show this happens more frequently with boys than girls.

Why should we be concerned about these disparities? According to the authors of Taking Shape: Activities to Develop Geometric and Spatial Thinking, spatial reasoning is a gateway to mathematics and STEM careers. If we want more students to feel confident enough to choose these paths, especially girls, we need to grant more opportunities to all children to practice and nurture these skills. Even those who choose sports or artistic endeavors will benefit from increased spatial reasoning.