Math can be a difficult subject area for many kids to grasp. While some children may understand math concepts more intuitively, it may not be easy for others. This is where your role as a parent comes in. There are several ways parents can help their little ones practice and improve their math skills in order to succeed in this subject area. Read on for some helpful strategies to help you teach your kids about mathematics.
1. Start with counting
Learning math begins with counting. Believe it or not, you can start teaching your little one how to count and other simple math concepts from a very early age. For example, if you have three apples, put them on the table and invite your child to count them with you. This type of activity helps young children begin to grasp the concept of numbers in their simplest form.
2. Use pictures
Pictures are helpful tools when teaching children math concepts. Incorporating visual aides and pictures can make concepts easier to understand for kids who are just beginning to learn how to count. In addition to helping children learn what each number looks like, pictures can also be used to teach kids about addition and subtraction. If your little one is having trouble grasping these types of basic math concepts, pictures can make all the difference.
3. Make flashcards
Flashcards are also effective teaching tools when teaching kids mathematics. They provide a hands-on learning experience, and can be made easily at home with everyday items you might have on hand. For example, if your child is struggling to remember what number five looks like, there’s no need to go out and purchase expensive flashcards from the store. Instead, grab some index cards and write numbers one through five on each card with a marker. Then use a dry erase marker or crayon to draw the corresponding amount of objects on each of the dots representing that particular number. In this case, draw four stars on four dots and five stars on the fifth dot. Do this for each of the numbers one through five.
4. Make math fun
Learning about math doesn’t have to be a dull, boring experience for kids. There are plenty of ways to incorporate math concepts into your daily life in ways that make learning more exciting and engaging.
For example, if your little one is learning about fractions, you can cut up an apple into two equal sized pieces so your child can see what “half” looks like. Kids are often able to grasp the concept more easily when teaching is woven into their everyday lives rather than from a textbook or in a traditional classroom setting.
5. Use hands-on teaching tools
There’s a variety of ways you can teach your child about various math concepts by incorporating hands-on teaching tools, many of which you can find around your home or at school. While these teaching aids are primarily intended to teach children how to count, they can also be used to help them learn other basic math concepts as well. Give some thought to how your child might learn best before introducing any of these teaching tools. Otherwise, they can prove to be more a distraction than an asset for both of you.
6. Play math games
Math games are a simple and fun way to help kids learn how to solve math problems while they’re having fun. Games like Yahtzee, Baffle, and Dominoes all use the process of addition. To make learning more accessible for your little one, you can teach them how to play a variety of math games at home with everyday items you have on hand.
7. Use everyday objects
Teaching kids about mathematics is even easier when you use everyday items. For example, you can always use a ruler to teach kids about measurements, and an egg carton is a great tool to demonstrate the concept of multiplication with small groups of objects.
These are just a few of the easy ways you can use to help reinforce basic math concepts with children. Follow these tips to start teaching your little one about math quickly and effectively. Math concepts are an integral component of your child’s academic journey, as they are needed in order to succeed in school and beyond. Follow these tips to make learning math more fun and engaging for your child.
At The Pillars Christian Learning Center, we strive to empower children by identifying, acknowledging, and appreciating the diverse needs and talents of each child, and helping them know and understand they are accepted and valued for their uniqueness. Visit our website to learn more!