Painting Maths in Mandala Art: Integrating Mandala Art in Mathematics at Preparatory Stage of School Educatio

Performance in Mathematics has always been a matter of great concern globally. Maths being abstract, is not liked by many students. The main reasons behind low interest in the subject are because of the very abstract nature of the subject along with pedagogy-related issues. Missing Connections with daily life, and traditional ways of teaching mathematics despite revolutionary changes in textbooks of Mathematics at the Preparatory Stage of School Education are still the main reasons for poor performance in the subject. This research paper attempts to integrate the Indian Art form- Mandala Art into Mathematics through the Co-Equal Cognitive Integration Style as identified by Bresler in 1995. Mandala Art is known for its healing nature, reducing anxiety, and improving focus. The art of making a Mandala in itself involves mathematics in it. They are symmetrical circular designs. This research paper explores the classroom teaching-learning process of Mathematics through Mandala Art- Reflection Symmetry, lines of symmetry, radial symmetry, Rotational Symmetry, fractions, patterns, angles, etc. are the topics explored through Mandala Art in class 5 at the Preparatory Stage of School Education. To gauge the impact of Mandala Art on the learning of mathematical concepts, a group of 33 students of class 5, was taught through Arts integration for over a month, and all the topics that could organically be integrated through mandala art (symmetry, patterns, fractions, angles, etc.) were discussed in detail through mandala art images created by the students. The findings of the intervention show that students not only enjoyed creating mandala art but also enjoyed maths learning through them. Children expressed that they did not realize they were learning maths while making mandalas.