How To Make Maths Fun

Have you been thinking of better ways to teach your child maths? Perhaps it was a teacher’s note about your child’s maths grade; or maybe it was the signs of disinterest in counting and problem solving that made you worry. Homework has been a struggle to keep up with. And no matter how many times you’ve explained, your child doesn’t seem to understand.

 

You then start to wonder if your child can make it through their 11+ exam. The fact is, there are plenty of children who struggle with maths, but this does not mean that all hope is lost. At Tutor Rise, we see these challenges as a chance for students to overcome their weaknesses.

And what better way to do this than to have a little fun in the process?

 

Understand Your Child’s Personality

 

Some parents may start to think that their children’s responsibility is solely to learn and excel as soon as they enter school. Forgetting that they are also fun-loving children with the need to explore and express themselves will not only stress them out, but it will also affect their feelings towards school.

 

Every child is unique with their own preferred way of learning. If they are having problems with a particular subject in school, it could mean that they have not yet invested any interest in the subject area. Another reason would be that compared to their friends in school, they weren’t able to catch up with the lesson as fast as they are accepted to be. They get disheartened and may choose to avoid the subject because of fear from making mistakes.

 

The first step into making maths enjoyable for your little one is consider their personality and their interests. Understand why they are having problems and work it out from there.

 

How To Make Maths Fun

 

1. Avoid Drilling Your Child

The most common way to teach children maths is to supply them with worksheets and also through the use of flash cards. These methods are mindless and repetitive for many students. No wonder your child isn’t paying attention! If you have been using these methods in the past with no improvement, it is time to give it a rest and try something else.

2. Apply Maths Into Daily Lives

Take this chance to ask maths related questions that can be applied in real life. Ask them which brand of product would save more money at the supermarket, or if a ¾ size pizza is larger than a half. Simple but meaningful questions will inspire your child to think about the role of math in daily life. Observe your child’s surroundings and see if you can get creative with your questions.

3. Teach Them About Money

One of the great things about teaching maths is the opportunity to also teach your child the value of money. From something as simple as helping out in the family budget or calculating how much money should your child save every week for a video game they’ve always wanted, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate maths concepts with money.

4. Take A Field Trip

If your child is an active and visual learner, a trip to a local maths or science museum might just make them more interested in maths. Many children face difficulties in a structured classroom setting, but a museum will allow them learn and explore on their own. Besides, visiting a museum together isn’t just a way to make maths fun, it’s also a great way to bond with your child.

5. Consider Their Interests

Does your child have an interest in robots? How about computer programming? There is bound to be something in his list of hobbies that can be directly related to math. Introducing interesting projects that are maths related will help your child apply what he has learned hands on. This tip is best for students who learn best through experience.

6. Play Maths Games

Make maths fun by turning it into a game. This is a great way motivation for them to learn maths if your child has a competitive side. Take some time off and play a board game with your child instead of another iPad application. This will not only allow them to bond with you, but this could also be a chance for your to identify what specific problems your child is struggling with. BrainBox – Maths is great game children love and it is useful for Non-Verbal Reasoning practice too.

How Does Your Child Learn Maths?

Have you tried any of these tips with your child? Did you and your child enjoy those activities? Let us know your story in the comments below. We love to hear from our readers!