Let’s Play Maths: Strengthening Education Through Playful Learning

Mathematics becomes a lot more fun when you add a little play.
Through the Let’s Play Maths project co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program, PLAY International and its partners are showing how education can be transformed when games, movement, and hands-on activities are used to teach core subjects like math. Focused on children aged 6–9, the project promotes inclusive, child-centered approaches to learning across Kosovo, France, Romania, and North Macedonia.

In Kosovo, PLAY International is leading efforts to build sustainable change in education by training five university professors in game-based teaching methods for mathematics. These professors, all active in teacher education programs, are now equipped with playful, active learning tools that they will pass on to hundreds of future teachers. By targeting the academic level, the project ensures a long-term impact on how math is taught in classrooms across the country.

Alongside this academic-level training, 20 primary school teachers in Kosovo will also be trained in these methods by project partner AAB College. This dual approach, working with both current and future educators, helps ensure that children benefit immediately, while also building a pipeline of well-prepared, innovative teachers for the future.

During the training sessions, professors explored a variety of techniques:
•    Integrating movement and play into math lessons
•    Adapting activities to meet diverse learning needs
•    Encouraging teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving
•    Fostering motivation and confidence in young learners
 

These methods turn traditional lessons into interactive experiences where students can explore, question, and understand mathematical concepts through play. In doing so, they not only strengthen core numeracy skills but also promote self-confidence, inclusion, and positive learning experiences, especially for children who may struggle in standard classroom settings.
 

The Let’s Play Maths project reflects PLAY International’s mission to support inclusive, quality education through innovation. With over two decades of experience using play as a tool for education and social inclusion, PLAY International continues to work across the Western Balkans to make learning more engaging and equitable for every child.
 

As part of the broader Let’s Play Maths initiative, implemented by a consortium of partners in four countries, the project highlights the power of cross-border collaboration in improving education systems. By connecting playful pedagogy with teacher training, the initiative ensures that educational change is both meaningful and sustainable.
And at the heart of it all is a simple idea: learning, especially math, should be fun.