Infinity: Figuring Out Forever

Gr 4-6–An attempt to teach a complex concept to elementary age children in lay terms with photographic assistance to aid understanding. While Campbell breaks down infinity as a measure of endlessness in relation to mathematics and science with numerous examples, a lot of jargon prevents it from becoming accessible. She explains that infinity is not a single moment, but an idea. This philosophical understanding of infinity may be unfamiliar to some. The example of counting may help children process the concept partially, but they may not be able to differentiate between the two capacities of “big” and “endless.” Although there is a wealth of paratextual elements that provide more details on infinity, specifically the author’s note and a word problem, rather than comprehending the concept of infinity, children may be left more confused. This also raises a loaded question for young developing minds: can infinity simply be “figured out”?