At DYNSEO, we understand that teaching mathematics in the first and second grades is a crucial step. It is at this age that the foundations, the pillars on which all future mathematical knowledge of the child will rest, are built. It is a period of discoveries, but also sometimes of first difficulties. The abstraction of numbers, the logic of operations, the structure of problems... these concepts can prove to be real mountains to climb for young minds.
It is with this observation, and in constant collaboration with teachers, speech therapists, and neuropsychologists, that we developed our educational suite COCO PENSE and COCO BOUGE. Today, we want to focus on how COCO PENSE, our component dedicated to cognitive learning, becomes a valuable ally in your classroom to strengthen the mathematical skills of your cycle 2 students. Far from being just a digital gadget, we designed it as a true educational tool, an extension of your teaching, capable of adapting to the pace of each child and transforming learning into a motivating adventure.
Our goal is not to replace the irreplaceable role of the teacher, but to provide you with a reliable, engaging, and intelligent support to consolidate concepts, differentiate your pedagogy, and accompany each student on the path to success in mathematics.
We firmly believe that learning should not be synonymous with boredom or anxiety. One of the first obstacles in mathematics is often the fear of making mistakes, a apprehension that can paralyze thinking. That is why the entire COCO PENSE ecosystem is built on the principle of gamification.
Learning through play: more than just entertainment
Play is not a distraction; it is the most natural mode of learning for a child. When a student plays, they are active, engaged, and their brain is more receptive. Neuroscience confirms this: the positive emotion generated by play facilitates memorization and understanding. In COCO PENSE, each mathematical exercise is integrated into a mini-game. It is not about "doing math" to earn a reward, but about playing a game whose very mechanics are the mathematical exercise. For example, instead of simply aligning additions, the child will have to help Coco cross a river by choosing the lily pads with the correct results. This staging gives meaning to the action and de-dramatizes the mistake, which becomes just a step in the game to overcome.
Endearing characters to guide the child
The universe of our application, which you can discover on our site https://www.dynseo.com/version-coco/, is populated with benevolent characters, with Coco the parrot as the conductor. Coco is not a judge; he is an adventure companion. He encourages, congratulates, and guides the student throughout their journey. This friendly presence creates an emotional bond with the application and establishes a climate of trust. For a child who lacks confidence in mathematics, knowing that they are accompanied by a positive character can make all the difference. They dare to try, they dare to make mistakes, because the stakes are no longer the grade, but the pleasure of progressing with their friend Coco.
A colorful and stimulating graphic universe
We have paid particular attention to the visual environment of COCO PENSE. Gone are the austere black and white exercise sheets. We offer a vibrant, colorful, and interactive world that stimulates curiosity. Each game takes place in a different setting, from the jungle to the ocean, thus maintaining the child's interest over the long term. The interface is designed to be intuitive and streamlined, avoiding any cognitive overload. The instructions are clear, often supplemented orally, to ensure that the student focuses on the targeted mathematical skill and not on understanding how the tool works.
Targeting the key skills of the first and second grade curriculum
A tool, no matter how playful, has pedagogical value only if it is firmly rooted in the objectives of the school curriculum. We have designed the mathematical activities of COCO PENSE in strict compliance with the end-of-cycle 2 expectations of the National Education. Our application acts as a digital toolbox that allows you to work, in a targeted manner, on all fundamental skills.
Numeration: the foundation of mathematical thinking
Mastery of numeration is to mathematics what knowledge of the alphabet is to reading. It is the essential base. COCO PENSE offers a multitude of games to solidify this foundation. The activities allow for work on:
- Recognition of numbers (in digits and in letters)
- Comparison and ordering of numbers (greater than, less than)
- Understanding the positional value of digits (units, tens, hundreds)
- Decomposition and recomposition of numbers (e.g., 123 = 100 + 20 + 3)
Through grouping, sorting, or associating games, the child virtually manipulates numbers and builds a solid mental representation of our decimal system.
Mental calculation: automate to free the mind
Mental calculation is an essential skill. When a student automates addition tables or complements to 10, they no longer expend their cognitive energy on simple calculations. They thus free up resources to focus on understanding and solving more complex problems. It is like learning to drive: at first, we think about every gesture, then it becomes automatic, allowing us to focus on the road and traffic. COCO PENSE offers rhythmic and progressive exercises to train mental calculation. Timed challenges, quick calculation series, "fill-in-the-blank calculations" games... everything is designed to develop automatism in a stimulating way, far from tedious repetition.
Problem solving: from concrete to abstract
The goal of mathematics is to be able to solve problems. This is often where difficulties crystallize. COCO PENSE approaches problem solving progressively. We start from very concrete, illustrated situations that resonate with the child (sharing candies, counting animals, etc.). The statements are short, read aloud, and important information is often visually highlighted. The application helps the child decompose the problem: "What do I know?", "What am I looking for?", "What operation should I use?". By guiding the student through these steps, we help them structure their thinking and develop a methodology that they can then reinvest in more abstract problems on paper.
Adaptability at the heart of our pedagogy
One of the greatest challenges in a classroom is the heterogeneity of levels. How do you meet the needs of a student who is struggling without hindering the one who is progressing quickly? This is where technology, when well thought out, offers considerable added value. We have integrated an adaptive algorithm at the heart of COCO PENSE.
A personalized path for each student
Our application is not a linear and unique path for all. It evaluates in real-time the performance of each child. If a student easily succeeds in several exercises on a skill, the level of difficulty will automatically increase. Conversely, if they encounter difficulties, the application will offer them simpler exercises or reminders to consolidate the concept before continuing. This "customized path" has a double advantage: it prevents the discouragement of the struggling student, who is never faced with an insurmountable failure, and it prevents boredom for the more advanced student, who is constantly stimulated by new challenges.
Immediate feedback for active learning
Unlike an exercise in a notebook that will be corrected later, COCO PENSE offers immediate feedback. A correct answer is instantly validated and encouraged. An error is signaled without judgment, often offering a second chance or a visual explanation. This instant feedback is extremely powerful. It allows the child to immediately anchor the correct procedure or correct their strategy without letting a wrong conception settle in. Learning becomes a constant dialogue between the student and the tool.
A dashboard for the teacher
For you, teachers, we have developed a dedicated space. This dashboard is your control center. It allows you to accurately track the progress of each student and the class as a whole. You can visualize at a glance:
- The time spent on each type of exercise.
- The skills that are mastered.
- The concepts that pose problems for a particular student or a group of students.
This objective data is a valuable aid for adjusting your teaching. You can thus create need-based groups, propose targeted remediation activities, or simply have a more informed conversation with a student about their difficulties.
A tool designed for all students, including those with specific needs
Our mission at DYNSEO is to make learning accessible to all. A classroom is a rich and diverse ecosystem, where students with very varied learning profiles coexist. Among them, students with learning disabilities, such as DYS disorders (dyscalculia, dyslexia, dyspraxia), require attention and adapted tools.
Taking into account DYS disorders
From its conception, COCO PENSE has been designed with an inclusive approach. Several of its features can be beneficial for students with DYS disorders. The streamlined interface limits visual distractions. The use of very readable fonts and high contrasts facilitates reading. Systematic oral instructions are a valuable aid for dyslexic students. The virtual and visual manipulation of numbers can be an entry point for dyscalculic students who struggle with abstract symbolism. By breaking down complex tasks into simple and sequential steps, we also help students who have difficulties with planning or organization.
Beyond the application: our training for teachers
We know that a tool alone is not enough. The effectiveness of an educational support depends on the understanding and strategy of the teacher using it. That is why we have developed an essential complementary offer: our training titled "Identifying and Supporting DYS Disorders in Primary School". You can find all the details of this course at https://www.dynseo.com/courses/identifier-et-accompagner-les-troubles-dys-a-lecole-primaire/.
This training, aimed at education professionals, aims to give you the keys to better understand, identify, and support DYS students. We address warning signs, diagnoses, but above all, we offer you concrete pedagogical strategies and practical adjustments to implement in your classroom. We also explain how digital tools like COCO PENSE can be integrated into a personalized support plan (PAP) to support these students. We believe in a holistic approach: equipping you with a powerful tool and training you so you can make the most of it for all your students.
Integrating COCO PENSE into the classroom routine
For COCO PENSE to unleash its full potential, it must harmoniously integrate into your pedagogical organization. Here are some usage ideas that we have observed among teachers who are already using our solution.
In independent work workshops
COCO PENSE is the ideal tool for independent work times. While you conduct a small group activity, other students can work on the application via tablets or computers. The adaptive path ensures that they will be engaged in tasks at their level, without requiring your constant intervention. This frees up valuable time for more individualized support.
For differentiated teaching
Thanks to the dashboard, you can easily identify the specific needs of your students. You can then use COCO PENSE in a targeted manner. For a student who struggles with complements to 10, you can assign them a series of specific exercises on that concept. For another who has already mastered additions, you can direct them towards the first approaches to subtraction or multiplication. The application then becomes an instrument of your differentiation strategy.
As a tool for review or reinforcement
After a collective lesson on a new concept, COCO PENSE can serve as a consolidation tool. Students can practice playfully on the concept you just covered. It can also be used at the beginning of a session as a "warm-up" ritual to reactivate prior knowledge, especially in mental calculation.
In conclusion, we have designed COCO PENSE not as a miracle solution, but as a reliable and intelligent educational partner. By combining a playful approach that motivates the child, content rigorously aligned with the curricula, adaptive technology that respects everyone's pace, and particular attention to inclusivity, we aim to provide you with concrete support in your daily mission. Our commitment does not stop at providing an application; it extends to your own professional development through our training. Together, we can help build the confidence and mathematical skills of every student, giving them a solid foundation for their future.
The article "How COCO PENSE strengthens mathematics in first and second grades" highlights the importance of playful learning for young students. In a similar context, the article on the Dynseo site dedicated to physiotherapists explores how digital tools can be used to improve cognitive and physical skills. These two articles highlight the positive impact of educational technologies on the development of essential skills, whether in mathematics for children or in rehabilitation for adults.
