One of the most common subjects students struggle with is math. If you’re stumped when your youngster asks for help with math, remember that you’re not alone. Math can be intimidating to teachers, parents, Ph.D. students, and even biologists, chemists, and physicists. The fact that math education isn’t as static as we’d like it to be doesn’t help matters. The ways in which we teach math will surely evolve as we get a deeper understanding of learning and the human brain. The types of questions and solutions that make up the “new math” can appear impenetrable to many people.
But have no fear! With emerging evidence suggesting your reaction to arithmetic is more tied to how your parents, teachers, and peers talked about it than anything related to your brain, there is reason to be hopeful. You don’t have to go from math apprehension to math expert overnight, but here are some pointers to help your youngster develop his or her math skills.
In this list, we’ll look at some great best practices and tips for helping students improve their math skills as a parent, caregivers, homeschoolers, or teachers.
Tips for Helping Your Student or Child Get Better at Math
Keep in mind that while these tips are designed to help young children with mathematics, these practices can also be helpful for older teens and even adults in college.
As a parent – Stop saying either of you is bad at math and keep things positive.
In terms of how much it will help your child, this is arguably the most comprehensive recommendation. Bite your tongue if you’re tempted to remark something like, “It’s fine if you’re bad at arithmetic; I was too!” Research reveals that the concept of being a “math person” is a myth, contrary to popular belief. Even if that’s how you’re feeling right now, avoiding negative arithmetic messaging is one of the best ways to keep your children from developing math phobia. Instead, emphasize on the difficulties and effort by stating something like, “I understand how challenging this is for you.” “Don’t worry if math problems seem tougher than some of your other tasks,” or “Don’t worry if math issues seem more difficult than some of your other assignments.” I know you don’t get it yet, but I’m confident we’ll figure it out together.”
As a school administrator or teacher – Invest in different ways of teaching.
There are numerous things that schools can do to assist students who are having difficulty with math. There are certain methods of teaching math that can aid in the development of skills in children. In addition, schools might deploy “supports” to make it simpler for challenging students.
To receive this form of assistance from the school, parents must have their children examined. Your child’s teacher can also be a valuable source of information and assistance. Inquire with the teacher if there are any classroom tactics that you may use at home.
Working with the school can aid in the development of a growth mindset in your child. That is, children feel that with hard work and encouragement, they can develop their skills. Also, find out how establishing a “competence anchor” might help your youngster gain confidence in math.
Find ways to make math fun.
For some students, all it takes is a shift in mindset to turn arithmetic from something they fear into something they like. When a standard pen-and-paper technique doesn’t work, you’ll need to get inventive. Consider using a game-based approach to reintroduce math to your child. This can take numerous forms, including word problems, math books, and math apps. Try using these printable math worksheets to engage with your child.
Practice with your student daily.
On the surface, this advice may appear to be as simple as sitting next to your child while they do their homework and making sure they finish it. However, being involved in your child’s education offers numerous advantages. Academic achievement, social skills, and self-esteem can all benefit from parental involvement. Make time to practice arithmetic every night, even if it’s only for 10 minutes. This will help kids remember what they’ve learned in class and reinforce core principles as professors present more complex concepts. Try these free and colorful printable worksheets available online, even if your child doesn’t have any arithmetic homework.
Invest in a math tutor.
Teachers rarely have the time to give kids all of the attention they require to succeed. Having a tutor on hand to confidently reply to specific queries and mathematical scenarios can considerably accelerate a student’s comprehension of key mathematical principles in these situations. Students will frequently have problems with items that are unrelated to those of their classmates, so when problem areas are identified, they can be addressed right away. This prevents a considerable amount of time from being wasted in the classroom, particularly on tasks that do not necessitate a significant amount of time. The tutor’s attention also helps a lot with a student’s natural learning pace – this is another element that varies a lot between people, so an approach that compliments how a student absorbs material and provides relevant feedback is critical to effective learning. A tutor’s attention also assures that a student is less likely to encounter unpleasant distractions, which are a major contributor to pupils’ ineffective learning.
Actually, talk about math.
Making a complex statistical analysis or debating which equation best models an event isn’t required when talking about math. Talking about arithmetic can be as easy as counting clouds or predicting heights. This is especially important for young children, who must feel at ease simply thinking about arithmetic and perceiving it as a part of the world. Find methods to include math into whatever topic you’re talking about as the chance arises, depending on your child’s age. Regardless of your personal math background, you may help your child develop a love of arithmetic by encouraging them to do well in school, assisting with school projects, and talking about their homework in a patient manner. Encourage children to see how a solid math foundation can lead to wonderful opportunities in the future.
Let your child ask questions.
Every year, most teachers must complete a specific set of criteria. Students who are interested in a different aspect of arithmetic may be disappointed or frustrated since there isn’t enough time to investigate it. Standards and assessments are crucial, but try not to be concerned about whether or not your child’s question is too simple, too difficult, or even part of the curriculum. Always keep in mind that math may be used to solve almost every problem. Instead of responding to a query with “You should know this by now,” “That sounds much too difficult,” or “That doesn’t matter,” lead the interested mind to the teacher or engaged math educators on social media. What strategy would they take to the question? Offer assistance when needed, but let the child figure out the problem themselves by letting them talk it out. Encouragement is key.
Take your time when helping your child with math.
You may use the same tools you’d use to solve any problem to tackle this one: Take some time to relax. Attempt an alternative approach. Someone else should be consulted. Everyone progresses at a different rate when it comes to math. Patience is essential in this situation.
Compare real-life scenarios to math problems.
Explain how math applies to real-life situations and challenge them to assist you in solving math problems you encounter while out together, such as calculating monetary change or determining how many oranges to buy. If he understands the importance of math, they will be more interested in learning it.
