Which instructional tool is often used for students who struggle with conceptual understanding?

Manipulatives are powerful instructional tools designed to enhance conceptual understanding, particularly for students who struggle with abstract concepts. These hands-on resources allow students to physically engage with materials, such as blocks, counters, or other tangible objects, which helps to bridge the gap between concrete and abstract thinking. By manipulating objects, students can better visualize and understand mathematical concepts, scientific principles, or other subject matter that may be difficult to grasp through traditional instruction alone.

Using manipulatives promotes active learning, encourages exploration, and facilitates discovery through tangible experiences. This experiential learning approach is particularly beneficial for students with learning difficulties or those who may require additional support to make sense of complex ideas. Through direct interaction, students can test hypotheses, see immediate results of their actions, and develop a stronger, more intuitive understanding of key concepts.