The Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract, Language (CPAL) Approach

Imagine a classroom where every child, regardless of their starting point, feels the “aha!” moment of true mathematical discovery. This isn’t just a dream—it’s the reality of the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract-Language (CPAL) approach.

Based on Jerome Bruner’s scaffolding theory, and the premise that children must hold maths in their hands, before they can hold it in their heads, CPAL is more than just a teaching method; it is a developmental bridge that moves students from physical exploration of mathematics to symbolic mastery.