Imagine purchasing a piece of equipment with an instruction manual written in a foreign language. It would be challenging to figure out how it works. Sure, you could decide to wing it but at the end of the day, you won’t fully grasp all of its capabilities unless you understand the instruction manual.
So what does any of this have to do with math? It’s simple.
Mathematics is the instruction manual of the universe in the sense that it helps us understand the world around us. It’s like a key that unlocks the universe’s multilayered concepts. That’s why it’s so important for kids and adults alike to cultivate math literacy.
Role of Parents In Learning
From teaching them how to walk to helping them develop social skills, parents are the first teachers a child will encounter in their lifetime. As the child gets older, instructors and tutors take on a larger portion of the teaching responsibility. This does not mean that the parents are left out. Their role changes; they are tasked with motivating and encouraging their kids in their schoolwork.
Tips for teaching math to your youngsters at home
There are several methods parents employ to boost their children’s educational experience ; from teaching from home to scouring and employing the best math websites for kids.
For parents teaching their child math, it’s easy to get overwhelmed because you’re concerned about whether you’re teaching the right concepts in the right way.
However, with the application of these strategies for teaching math, you will be well on your way to raising a child squarely rooted in their passion for math!
The right attitude
An optimistic outlook is the best attitude to have. We have all struggled with arithmetic at some point in our lives, and it is vital not to pass on any leftover math anxiety to your child. Use motivating statements like “We can work through this” when confronted with a seemingly daunting challenge in math class. This inspires and encourages them to keep trying even when they get wrong answers.
Set an airtight routine
Children benefit from regular routines that are familiar to them, just like adults do. A steady daily routine helps you and your child keep track of lessons and makes the learning process productive.
When designing a lesson plan for your child, it is critical to arrange classes during times when they are rested and alert. Having them assist you with organizing their routine is a terrific approach to keep them engaged in the learning process.
Carve out a space for learning
Find a spot in your home where you can do your home learning every day. Having a spot allocated for studying helps with concentration and provides a sense of organization. It is important to keep this space free from distraction, friendly and lively in order to keep your child’s attitude positive during lessons. You might urge your youngster to decorate this space in order to make it feel more welcoming. (e.g. an image, hand-painted shapes, etc.). Ensure that this location contains the necessary learning resources.
Know the teaching method that suits them
Every child approaches learning in a unique way that distinguishes them from one another. Some kids are logical or experiential learners, while other kids are visual learners (i.e., they learn best by idea representation). Identifying your child’s preferred method of learning will help you choose the best teaching strategy when introducing math concepts to them.
It is essential to speak with your child’s instructors for advice on what teaching method for children works best for their learning type.
Make learning meaningful
When children do not understand why they are learning a topic or do not believe it is useful, they easily disengage from the lesson. Making math a part of their daily lives is a terrific strategy to get kids interested in learning about math. Demonstrate to children where math can be found in nature and around us. For instance:
- Kids can better understand the notion of quantity when you bake with them. Measure out the sugar or flour and have them describe how the quantity impacts the overall flavor of the dish.
- Grocery shopping with your child helps them understand various numerical concepts from price, to weight.
This allows kids to try to visualize math when solving a problem, which in turn improves their critical thinking skills.
Tackle problem-solving with your child
When your child is faced with a difficult math question, it is important to support them. Put down the pom-poms and the back pats and tackle the problem with them. You could walk them through the solution or give them hints.
Solving these math problems together helps them feel confident in the subject, boosts their problem-solving skills, and builds their trust in you. Your input also helps give them an insight to how real life problems are approached.
Make fun a fundamental part of the process
According to studies, children learn best through play. The not-so-secret recipe to making children assimilate and retain mathematical concepts is by incorporating fun into lessons.There are various ways to have fun while learning such as
- Turning a question into a riddle,
- Using engaging stories to relay math concepts,
- Create a chant or rhyme in place of rote memorization, etc.
- S: There is no fixed way to have fun while learning. The trick is to do what works for you and your child.
Use math games
There’s a popular saying that mathematics is like ice cream with various flavors. Feeding your child with only textbook math is akin to feeding them broccoli-flavored ice cream.
Expose the beauty of math to your child by incorporating games into the math learning process. This is a great way to whet their appetite for learning and keep them engaged.
Games also place children in the proper state of mind to learn tricky concepts. Math games are ideal for teaching math to kids because it keeps them relaxed and focused. The wonderful part? They won’t object to repeating an action or procedure as long as it is a part of the game.
Keep practicing
In the words of Jack Canfield, an American author, repetition is the key to real learning. Without frequent practice, math knowledge is meaningless. Similar to a muscle, math knowledge and skills weaken without sufficient practice. The more chances a child is given to practice a math skill, the quicker they are to master it. Over time, you could introduce more challenging equations. Just ensure your child has adequate opportunity to fully grasp each arithmetic concept or problem before advancing to the next level.
Take math outdoors
Engage in outdoor math with your children to get their brains active and keep those wheels turning. There are several outdoor activities to help your kids practice the math they learned previously. These outdoor activities make it easier for kids to practice logical thinking, communication, and problem-solving.
For instance, ask your child to keep track of the quantity and variety of animals they see. After some time, ask them to tally the figures. As a result of the findings, you could explain why there are more squirrels in that area. This helps them understand the concept of population as well as boosts their critical thinking skills.
Final thoughts
Figuring out how to teach your child at home might seem like quite the challenge, but with the combination of the right teaching method and an effective routine, the process becomes a light breeze.
We hope these tips help. Good luck!