If there is any school subject that causes angst among students and their families, mathematics would be a clear winner. Unfortunately, math is an area of study that becomes progressively abstract as students advance grade levels, and families often find themselves far removed from many of the concepts. Added to this struggle is the fact that today’s teaching methods are completely different from what most parents were taught during their own school years. Although helping your child with their math practice may seem daunting, there are several ways to approach it so that you can help them be successful.
Here are 5 methods you can implement to help keep your child’s math abilities in check.
- The first and most important place to start is knowing where your student currently is in their math abilities. In order to avoid stress and frustration, it’s critical to meet them where they are and build from there. A great option is to track math skills with an assessment. This will offer a clear starting point that will allow your student to feel some level of confidence before moving on. There’s nothing worse for a student than to be met with math concepts that are outside of their knowledge base.
- Connect math to real-world examples. By helping your student understand how math is used in everyday life, they will develop a greater appreciation and new perspective. Paying bills, taxes, shopping, and calculating tips at restaurants are wonderful opportunities for students to think deeper about numbers and their relationships. Older students can get involved in formulations that involve algebraic concepts, such as figuring out the dimensions for building a bookshelf, planting a garden, or mapping the time and distance of a long road trip.
- Understand the type of learner your student is. Each of us learns in our own unique way. Not only are there different learning styles (visual, kinesthetic, auditory), but there is also left and right brain dominance that directly affects our ability to learn well. In order to promote the best learning environment, it is important to understand your student’s areas of strengths and weaknesses so that you can accommodate them accordingly.
- Make math fun. These days, you can find both physical and digital games that are engaging, stimulating, and helpful in learning math concepts. You can also involve your student in fun activities at home, such as baking or cooking. Give them a budget to shop at a store with or before ordering at a restaurant. Try to offer some sort of incentive during all of these activities to increase engagement.
- Foster a ‘champion of challenges’ attitude. It is all too easy to become frustrated and defeated when you do not understand a math concept. Rather than feeling helpless in this situation, have a conversation around perseverance and the importance of challenges in life. The only way to true growth is through a challenge. When we spend the extra time and effort to solve a problem or figure something out, we walk away with strengthened connections in our brain and new learning, even if we don’t realize it right away. Be a champion for challenges and help your student embrace these growth opportunities.
Helping your child to stay fresh on their math skills and abilities may be difficult at times, but by employing the above strategies, you can make a difference. Nobody enjoys watching their students struggle with learning; you are definitely not alone in this. By partnering with teachers and other parents, you can work together to create experiences that will support your students with the proper strategies and resources. If possible, seek professional support as needed so that your student can receive optimal instruction and guidance as they progress in their studies.
There is a quote that says the only reason children dread mathematics is because they look at it as a subject, which is the wrong approach. You now have tools to help your students view math in a new light.
