Developing mathematical skills in children is a critical part of their development. While not every children excels in math, each one of them can be trained and their skills improved. Therefore, it is necessary for parents to instill in their children a strong foundation and set of skills in the world of mathematics from an early age.
This article will discuss the different tips and strategies employed by parents to ensure their child has a chance to excel in their studies of math.
1. Provide a positive environment for learning
The most crucial requirement for children to excel in math is to have a positive environment conducive to learning. Parents should recognize the value of mathematics and make sure to foster an atmosphere which honours its importance. It is also beneficial to encourage and establish a relationship based on trust, motivation and support for the child to reduce their fear of mathematics as well as identify their skills and needs.
2. Set up a productive study schedule
Establishing a structured routine for math studies is essential for cultivating a successful math student. Parents should identify what time works best for their child and make the math period a priority along with their other activities and hobbies. After the schedule is set, parents should diligently monitor the time devoted to math studies in order to ensure their child is dedicating the necessary hours to maximize the benefits.
3. Introduce real life problems and examples
Mathematics is a core component of everyday life as it is present in many documents, financial papers and data. When children are exposed to this reality, they can start to understand how to apply math in a practical sense, which motivates and boosts their confidence when calculating.
Parents should, therefore, give real-world examples to their child to help them understand the relevance of their math studies.
4. Reward and praise accomplishments
Math, like any other school subject, needs effort and dedication to achieve success. Parents should reward and recognition their child’s efforts in learning math by praising them when they complete their homework, further lend their help with difficult topics or master new mathematical processes. This behaviour helps to boost the self-confidence and motivation of the child to continue learning.
5. Ensure adequate sleep
The sleep pattern of the child is essential for their body to recharge and their mind to concentrate. Parents should, therefore, ensure that their child is getting a good amount of sleep as this will not only reduce fatigue and stress, but also improve their cognitive abilities.
Most importantly, a good night’s rest helps children to focus and recognize the mathematical problems they need to solve in the following day.
6. Make it fun
Traditionally, math has been presented to children as a boring and tedious subject. To encourages the learning of math, parents should try to come up with new ways to present the same concepts in an entertaining and relaxed way.
For example, offering incentives for successes, playing math-related games, and making it into a bonding experience by helping their child with math-related questions.
7. Utilize math-based websites
Technology has opened up a whole world of opportunities and resources such as math-based websites, apps, and online tutorials. Parents should research and explore these portals, enabling their child to also access them in order to further their math knowledge. Additionally, investing in mathematics-focused tablets and/or integrating math or mathematic puzzles into the child’s screen time can also be done.
8. Visit a tutor
As mentioned before, mathematics can be difficult for some children to understand and learn. For these cases, visiting tutors who specialize in the subject is a viable and recommended solution.
The objective of these tutors is to consolidate the knowledge and skills of the child and help them understand what their deficiencies are in order for them to improve.
9. Change the learning approach
Educational materials play an essential role in the development of a child’s learning of math. To cater to the specific needs of the student, parents should research different resources and/or ask for advice to their child’s teacher in order to find the ones that provide a better learning experience.
Additionally, investment in coloring and sketching materials can also be done to give the child a creative approach to the subject.
10. Pre-teach a lesson
As a supplement to the traditional lessons in math, parents can explore the same concepts at home by teaching the child on what they will likely be taught in school. Through this approach, the child can acquire a better understanding of the material by having it explained by someone they know and feel comfortable with.
11. Teach problem-solving skills
Math is often considered a problem-solving subject as it involves arriving at a solution for the given problem. Therefore, parents should teach their children problem-solving skills and tools such as brainstorming, strategy sharing and looking for the closest similar problem in order for them to identify the best approach for each situation.
12. Practice mathematics on a daily basis
Repetition is a key factor in helping children understand and remember more intricate mathematical concepts and solutions. For this reason, parents should incorporate small math problems and quizzes into their daily routine with their child.
It is also recommended to practice until they are comfortable with the material, mastering their abacus and mental mathematics skills.
13. Foster their interest in mathematics
It is important to recognize the interests and physical abilities of the child in order to further motivate them to learn math. With this in mind, parents should ensure their child is provided with the right resources and support to help them identify and foster their interest by enrolling them in math classes and summer mathematics camps.
Conclusion
Mathematics is a complex subject and can be difficult for children to understand and excel in. Parents should, therefore, dedicate time and resources to improve their children’s mathematical skills by introducing them to positive environments for learning, creating a productive study schedule, and exposing them to relevant real-life problems and examples. Additionally, it is also beneficial to award and praise successes as well as practice mathematics on daily basis in order to create a strong foundation for their future math studies.
All in all, with the right guidance, patience and support, parents can enable their children to excel in mathematics.