Math is a subject all students need to learn and a great education foundation for high level academics, such as engineering and the sciences. Many households have taken to Homeschooling due to the convenience and personal touch it can provide. However, Homeschooled children still need to receive adequate instruction in Math, just as a student receiving traditional education.
This begs the question – how much time should I spend on Math in a Homeschool setting?
Understanding Math as a Subject
Before diving into the details of how much time is needed, it’s important to understand Math as a subject. Math is becoming increasingly important in our everyday lives and the workplace, which is why it’s important for students to gain a thorough understanding. Math encompasses a lot of different topics, ranging from arithmetic to more difficult topics like calculus and trigonometry.
People of various ages require different levels of math study, which will come into play later in this article.
Ages vs Grade Levels and Math Understanding
While young children may learn arithmetic and other simple concepts fairly quickly, they may not understand the material as deeply as older students. As a result, depending on the age and grade level of the students, different amounts of time will be needed to spend on math. For younger students, spending up to 45 minutes a day on Math would be ideal.
For students in higher grades, spending around 5 to two hours a day may be more beneficial for complete understanding.
Math and Skill Development
On top of understanding Math as a subject, it’s important for students to develop math skills such as problem solving and the ability to think analytically. To help with this, providing real world examples of Math concepts can be beneficial.
For instance, demonstrating how a budget might look in a household or how mortgages are paid, can give a student more insight into the more abstract concept of Math.
Making Math Enjoyment
On top of gaining a thorough understanding of Math and understanding skills, it’s important to make Math enjoyable. To do this, parents should consider making learning interactive and involve their children in the process.
For example, by involving children in shopping trips, they can practice simple math such as adding and subtracting with basic objects.
Incorporating Socialization
Naturally, socialization is a key component of learning and is encouraged in traditional education. To make sure that students are engaging with their peers and receiving adequate socialization, parents should consider having students work with others, either online or in person.
Working with other children of the same age level can be beneficial, as it will help students to understand Math concepts better.
Teaching Tools
Teaching tools such as flashcards, books, and other apps can be used to assist children in understanding Math. Flashcards are great for helping children understand basic arithmetic, while books and apps can help them better understand more difficult topics. Additionally, including math games in the curriculum can make things exciting for students and motivate them to keep learning.
Using Online Resources
Besides the teaching tools already mentioned, parents can use online resources to help their children with Math. There are numerous websites that provide Math worksheets and activities, which parents can print out or have their children complete online.
Additionally, video tutorials are available to assist children in better understanding certain concepts.
Incorporating Variety
An important aspect of Homeschooling is ensuring that students are not getting burned out with the same type of learning environment every day. To add variety, consider combining different types of learning into one day.
For instance, parents can have their children spend one hour doing physical activities and another hour doing Math. This can help to break things up and make learning more enjoyable.
The Role of Parents
Lastly, the role of parents can’t be overlooked when it comes to Math education. Parents should check in with their children regularly to ensure that they are grasping the concepts and that any issues can be addressed.
Additionally, parents should try to make Math fun by turning learning into a game or making it a bonding experience.
Conclusion
Math is an important subject for students of all ages to learn, which is why Homeschool parents should take it seriously. To make sure that their children are getting a quality education, parents should spend the proper amount of time and include elements of variety and socialization. Through the use of teaching tools, online resources, and parental involvement, children can gain a better understanding of Math.