METUCHEN – Who says learning math can’t be fun? Not Metuchen residents John and Jennifer Fong. Their Learning Is an Art (LIA) program is designed to incorporate math into everyday life. The Fongs held a free math workshop for first and second graders at the Metuchen YMCA recently. “Math is all around us,” Jennifer Fong said. “When you go out to the grocery store, point out unit prices to your children. When you go to the park, point out shapes.”

LIA is a community service initiative developed by John Fong, who has taught elementary art for 12 years in Westfield. “We did a test run on our 4-year-old, and he gave it the thumbs up,&dquo; said Jennifer Fong, an instructional designer and trainer who has also taught elementary school. “Creative learning is a right-brain process, while mathematical learning is a left-brain process,” said John Fong. “If the right brain doesn’t like math, then a short circuit will happen. The left brain will not use the math.&dquo;

John Fong taught the children how to make a spaceship that would incorporate addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions and geometry into a game. Children can be reached on many levels by combining creativity with mathematical concepts, John Fong said. “I remember when I was young, and I asked myself why do I need to learn this [math],&dquo; Jennifer Fong said. “This game helps us; it lays a foundation for the children.&dquo;

Six-year-old Charu Arya attended the workshop with her mother, Vijay. “I never learned math as a game,&dquo; Vijay Arya said. “This is good; it is very challenging for the young learners.&dquo; Rushabh Mehta, 6, liked the game. “I haven’t learned any math projects like this at school,&dquo; Mehta said. “It’s impressive; it has a lot of math and science.&dquo; LIA’s mission is to enable students to utilize more of the brain when learning academic subjects, in order to foster a greater confidence in a student’s ability to perform academically, and integrate academics as a part of daily life.

For more information, visit www.LearningIsanArt.com.