How Fun Learning Can Make You Smarter (Part 1)
It’s a hot afternoon in Lagos. The sun beats down on the classroom roof, and the ceiling fan spins lazily, barely making a difference. Students sit at their desks, eyes glued to the clock some at grumbling already. Two more minutes. Their teacher, Mr. Ade, is writing yet another math equation on the board, but no one is listening. They’re all waiting for the moment when…
RRRIIIIIIINNNGGGGG!!!
The bell rings.
Cheers erupt as students race outside, shouting, laughing, and throwing their notebooks into their bags. Finally—break time! Math class, like every other lesson, had been a battle to stay awake.
For many Nigerian students, this is the reality, the usual. Learning isn’t fun, it’s something to endure. The best moments of school? Break time and closing time.
But what if I told you that learning—especially math—doesn’t have to be boring? Fun learning would make you smarter, more confident, and even excited about school
Let’s find out how
Why Do Students Struggle To Enjoy Learning?
Many students see learning as a chore, not an adventure. Why?
1. It Feels Like a Punishment; “Open your books, copy this, solve this.” When lessons feel like endless tasks, students lose interest.
2. It’s Too Abstract: Teachers often teach math as if it’s a list of rules to memorize, rather than something that’s connected to real life.
3. Fear of Failure: Many students believe they are “not good at math” because they’ve struggled before, yes we all had that fear. This fear kills curiosity.
4. Lack of Engagement: When students sit quietly while the teacher talks for 40 minutes, it’s easy to get distracted.
But the truth is when learning is fun, students understand faster, remember better, and think more creatively. They even score higher on tests without feeling like they studied!
That takes us to the question?
Do Students at Different Levels Learn the Same Way?
Absolutely not! The way a 7-year-old in primary school learns is very different from a 15-year-old in secondary school. A fun learning approach must match the student’s age and thinking ability.
Primary School Students (Ages 5–11)
Younger kids learn best through play and storytelling. During this stage they want to play and explore. They need hands-on activities and visuals to stay engaged.
✅ Example:
Instead of saying, “2 + 3 = 5,” try using real objects.
- “If you have 2 biscuits and I give you 3 more, how many do you have?”
Better yet: Play a game where they “buy” items with fake money and watch them buy the whole store.
Junior Secondary Students (Ages 12–15)
At this stage, students start questioning everything, they want to challenge & discover things. They learn best when solving puzzles and real-world problems.
✅ Example:
Instead of boring algebra formulas, use real-life challenges.
- “If a bus is moving at 60 km/h and stops every 30 minutes, how long will it take to travel 120 km?”
Turn it into a team challenge, and students will compete to solve it.
Senior Secondary Students (Ages 16–18)
Older students learn best when they see how knowledge connects to their future. It's the relate & apply system
✅ Example:
Instead of random equations, show them how math is used in business, technology, or finance.
- “If you invest ₦10,000 at 5% interest, how much will you have in 5 years?”
Let them research and present their findings.
A Teacher’s Secret Weapon
Instead of just teaching math the usual way, a teacher like Mr. Ade could have done something different:
- Start with a riddle: “I am a number. Double me and add 6, you get 14. Who am I?”
- Play a math relay race: Teams compete to solve equations and pass the baton.
- Use music: Turn multiplication tables into a catchy song.
Suddenly, students aren’t staring at the clock. They’re laughing, competing, thinking. They’re actually learning. Fun learning isn’t about playing all the time, it’s about turning lessons notes into experiences students enjoy.
...to be continued
Coming Up in Part 2… In Part 2, we’ll go deeper:
Step-by-step ways teachers and parents can make learning fun at every level
More math-based examples that work in real classrooms
How students can take charge of their own learning in a fun way
But before that; let’s talk!
To students:What’s the most boring thing about school for you?
To teachers and parents: Have you tried any fun learning methods? How did it go?
Let’s start a conversation in the comments. The more we talk about making learning fun, the smarter we all become!
Drop a heart if you are anticipating part 2 soon. Stay tuned!
