Help in improving your child’s math skills

Most of the children are scared of math. Numbers become a part of their nightmares. But a little help from parents can help the kids in understanding math in better way.  Parents should make sure that their kids understand the concepts of math otherwise it will be meaningless. Children tend to learn faster when their parents actively support their learning. 

We come across math in our day to day life. From cooking to bill payments, everything needs math. Parents can engage their kids in cooking and can teach them about the different measurements. For example, kids can be encouraged to bake cake as per the measurements given and then parents should explain them as how to measure the quantities required. Ask them to read the recipe and then find out whether to double or triple the recipe for the required number of guests. Cooking is one of the best techniques to learn concepts of math.

Mathematics is "the basis of sound" and sound itself "in its musical aspects... exhibits a remarkable array of number properties", simply because nature itself "is amazingly mathematical" (Reginald Smith Brindle, The New Music, Oxford University Press). Music also fosters creativity, imagination, cooperation, and flexible ways of thinking, discipline, better concentration and self-confidence; all of which are invaluable to college entrants, no matter what their intended course of study. Kids, who are trained in music at an early stage, have proved to be good at math. 

Mathematicians have an expression: To learn to solve problems, parents must solve problems. They should teach their children to read a word problem several times. Also, have them draw a picture or diagram to describe it. Make it easier for them to understand the steps in a problem by teaching them to substitute smaller numbers for larger ones. Considerable practice is also necessary for children to hone their math skills. If the teacher only assigns the even problems, having them do some of the odd ones will strengthen their skills. The more time children spend practicing their skills, the sooner they will develop confidence in their abilities.

Parents should always encourage their kids to learn math, never discourage them by saying that, “Even I wasn’t good at math when I was of your age”. Parents should help their kids in understanding the vocabulary of mathematics. Application of math skills and exposure to difficult math vocabulary words and phrases is the key to math and standardized testing success.

Parents should make math a part of their children’s daily life. Mathematics will become more meaningful when kids see how important it is in so many real-life situations.

Regards

10on10 Team