Concrete Pictorial And Abstract Approach

The concrete pictorial abstract cpa approach based on bruners conception of the iconicand symbolicmodes of enactive representation is a well known instructional heuristic advocated by the singapore ministry of education since early 1980s.

Concrete pictorial and abstract approach. What is concrete pictorial abstract cpa in maths. The concrete pictorial abstract cpa approach is a system of learning that uses physical and visual aids to build a childs understanding of abstract topics. This approach is not about getting the answer quickly or teaching quick fix tricks. Pupils are introduced to a new mathematical concept through the use of concrete resources eg.

Cpa simply stands for concrete pictorial abstract. Fruit dienes blocks etc. The cpa method involves using actual objects for children to add subtract multiply or divide. C is for concrete.

They then progress to using pictorial representations of the object and ultimately abstract symbols. Often referred to as the concrete representational abstract framework cpa was developed by american psychologist jerome bruner. The concrete pictorial and abstract cpa model of learning is one that fully encompasses the way we teach mathematics at stony dean. Concrete pictorial abstract cpa is a highly effective approach to teaching that develops a deep and sustainable understanding of maths in pupils.

We use this approach to enable our pupils to fully understand and master the maths concepts that we are teaching.