Fibonacci spiral by the roadside

Our car refused to move and needed black oil badly. DH hitched a ride to the nearest petrol station and the kids tumbled out of the car

The girl in photo above completely disregarded her father's request to stop playing with dirt.
She was completely absorbed in completed the task that she had set out for herself.
Her father gave up after a while and walked away shaking his head.
I was the silent observer with a camera :)

Finally, after she had completed her circle of stones, she got up, dusted her hands and walked away.

It reminded me of Fibonnaci and his magic numbers that occurs in nature.

Did she just express an innate need for some form of mathematical outlet through stones by the roadside?

Do parents unwittingly quell their kids geniuses by thinking dirt is dirty and nothing can come out of playing with stones?

Maths in the car 1stFeb2011

On the way home from dinner at PD Restaurant, Fai suddenly blurted out:
"7+7 is 14 and 14 +14 is 28"

JY wanting to challenge her brother said
"So Fai, what is 28 plus 28?"

Fai was unfazed. He sat thinking.
I could see the wheels turning as he pondered the question. He gazed out of the car, thumping the dashboard of the car.....
After a few minutes, he gave a triumphant grin and said "59!!"
Dad said" Nearly got it Fai. It is 50-something but not 59"
Fai "Let me see....ummmm...56!!"

I was amazed.

JY "Ok Fai what is 56+56?"

Me and Dad" JY!!! C'Mon Don't ....." Before we could finish the sentence, Fai said "It is alright, I think I can do it!"

Fai "One hundred and....."
"One hundred and twelve!"

JY "What's 112 +112?"

Fai with a grin "I think I get this 'game' now"
"Two hundred and twenty........errrrr....two hundred and twenty four!"

Fai was on a roll.

JY " What is 224 + 224?"

By this time, we had already reached the front gate and Fai had lost interest.