Parents and home-schoolers alike want to equip children with the necessary skills to succeed. Mathematics is an important building block for many other core skills, so what’s the best way to teach math at home? Here are 13 tips to get your child confidently solving problems.
1. Start Early
It’s never too early to introduce your child to numbers and basic calculation. Even before they reach school age, basic activities such as number games, counting fingers and toes, reading labeling on packaging and measuring ingredients for baking can help them prepare for math later on in life.
2. Use Everyday Objects
When it comes to teaching math to young children, everyday objects can be great teaching aids. Everyday kitchen items are especially useful, such as coins and measuring cups. Writing numbers on paper or an interactive whiteboard is important, but physical objects can bring math to life when showing your child how math works.
3. Use Math to Explain Concepts
Math doesn’t have to be taught as a discrete subject. By showing your child how math can explain and describe the greater world around them, you can help them understand its importance and relevance.
Try explaining how angles work when throwing a frisbee, how shapes are used to build a structure and even how fractions are used for measuring out ingredients for cooking.
4. Break Down Problems
When came face to face with a complex math problem, fear can quickly set in. By breaking a problem down, you can help your child to understand the logic and process step by step.
Make sure the steps are small and achievable, then celebrate each success as you move forward.
5. Ask Open Questions
Rather than just giving children the answer to a problem right away, it’s often more beneficial to ask open-ended questions. What do they think is the answer?
How could they get there? This allows them to process their own ideas, rather than simply taking instruction.
6. Embrace Technology
Technology has a place in all aspects of teaching and learning, including math. There are great educational apps, games and activities that help to bring math to life, or simply to provide the opportunity to practice. Whenever possible, embrace the use of technology in teaching math.
7. Make Learning Fun
Math doesn’t have to be boring. There are plenty of fun activities out there to make learning engaging. Think card games, board games, online tools, puzzles and outdoor activities.
If your child is having fun, they’ll be far more likely to remember what they learn.
8. Use Real-Life Examples
Find ways to talk to children about the practical application of math in everyday life. Many times, children struggle with understanding the purpose of math.
Ask them to help you calculate the area to paint a wall or how to divide a bill between several people. These practical examples can bring relevance to their learning and make math more relatable.
9. Provide Positive Reinforcement
With any learning, it’s important to provide positive reinforcement when children demonstrate understanding. Praise and reward their successes, no matter how small. If a child believes that math is something to celebrate and be proud of, they’ll be far more open and willing to learn later in life.
10. Be Patient
Learning math is rarely a linear process, and children may find themselves backtracking regularly. It’s important to be patient, supportive and understanding throughout the process.
Remind yourself that, while your child may struggle today, mastering this skill will give them considerable advantages in the long run.
11. Seek Professional Support
Sometimes, children just need an outside perspective to get them back on track. If your child has been struggling with a concept, seeking professional support can be a great way to make sure they keep learning at an appropriate pace.
12. Set the Right Environment
Make sure your home learning environment is conducive to study. Make sure there are no distractions, try to study for no longer than an hour at a time and take regular brain breaks. If you can prove to your child that you both take math seriously, it will become more of a priority for them.
13. Encourage Practice
Often, the best way to learn is through plenty of practice. Make sure your child understands the concept and then set them challenges that help to reinforce the idea.
Doing this regularly will help them gain confidence in their mathematical skills.
Conclusion
Teaching math at home doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. With these tips, you can make sure your child has the right foundations and continues to build upon their understanding every day.
Break down equations and make learning fun, and you can set them up for a life of problem solving ahead.