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🧠 Mental Math: Helping Kids Manipulate Numbers in Their Mind

Is a Math Problem an Imagination Problem?  When we think of math, many people imagine strict rules, memorized facts, and endless worksheets. But for kids (especially in the elementary years), math is much more like a journey through the imagination. It’s about being able to picture numbers in your head, play with them, and move them around like puzzle pieces. For children, developing this skill is called mental math, and it’s one of the most powerful tools they can carry into middle school, high school, and adulthood. Why Math is an Imagination Problem Numbers aren’t just symbols on a paper, they represent ideas. When a child sees “7 + 5,” the challenge isn’t just adding digits. It’s about imagining seven things, five things, and then combining them into a whole. The stronger a child’s imagination for numbers, the easier math becomes. Think of math as a playground in the mind: ➕️➖️Addition and subtraction are like stacking and removing blocks. ✖️Multiplication is making groups of t...

Daisy Quokka: World's Scariest Animal: Movie Review

 "Daisy Quokka: World's Scariest Animal" is an engaging animated film that combines humor, heart, and a positive message about self-confidence. The story follows Daisy, a cheerful quokka who dreams of winning the 'World’s Scariest Animal' championship, despite being naturally seen as anything but scary. Her journey highlights the importance of perseverance, friendship, and believing in oneself.

Daisy Quokka


The animation is colorful and lively, bringing the landscapes and various animal characters to life. Daisy is a likable protagonist with her positive attitude, and she quickly becomes a character that young viewers will cheer for, representing the spirit of an underdog in a charming way.

The best part is that there is no need to whip out your phone to explain to your child what a Quokka is. The movie describes them fairly accurately, as part rat and part kangaroo, in the beginning of the story. The film also uses real-world quokka traits to enhance the story. 

Quokkas, known as "the world's happiest animals," are small marsupials native to Australia, particularly known for their cheerful expressions and friendly nature. These real-life attributes are incorporated into Daisy's character, adding authenticity and educational value.

Photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy Australia 

A fun fact about quokkas is their ability to thrive in tough environments. Native to Rottnest Island, quokkas have adapted to survive on a diet of leaves, grass, and bark. This resilience mirrors Daisy’s determination to prove herself despite being smaller and less intimidating than her competitors.

The film also subtly highlights themes of environmental conservation through its depiction of Daisy’s homeland. The movie shows the natural beauty of the quokka's habitat, echoing real-world efforts to protect and preserve their environment. Quokkas are currently listed as vulnerable, and the film encourages awareness and action in safeguarding these creatures.

Take Away

Overall, "Daisy Quokka: World's Scariest Animal" is an entertaining family movie that blends fiction with interesting facts about quokkas. Daisy's journey from underdog to champion is a fun and engaging narrative, as well as a reminder of the unique traits of quokkas in the wild. This film is a great choice for families with young children, offering both a heartwarming story and educational content about one of the world’s happiest animals.

For more kid movies, checkout this previous post with 100+ Family Friendly Movies!

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