How can a teacher help a student develop a strong understanding of the operations and of number relationship in Mathematics?

This was a very interesting question, but I am having a hard time answering it. Need your help... Thanks alot!!!

I suggest using manipulatives and lots of practice. Let the students manipulate objects to learn the operations and number relationships. Involve as many of our five senses as possible. Even taste can be involved as the students count M&Ms, multiply them by the number of students, divide cookies, etc.