Maths is a subject that many children struggle with. Either because they lack interest or because it’s hard for them to conceptualise and understand problems. If your child is having trouble with maths, try getting to the root of their problems by talking to them. It may be that they need a little more time to practise or for their teacher to slow down. Either way, you can put a plan together and help them to improve. Below are some ideas from a private school in Northamptonshire on how you can help your child with maths.

Feedback

To get an idea as to what they’re struggling with, take a look at the kind of feedback your child’s been receiving on their work. You can also talk to them regarding the progress they’ve been making and see if they have any suggestions. 

Everyday Applications

You can help by explaining concepts in ways that relate to real life. It will allow them to understand the rationale behind what they’re doing and why the themes they’re learning about are important. For example, they are essential for managing money, making more of it and so many other day to day activities.

Make Math Fun

Use games, puzzles, and hands-on activities to make math enjoyable. There are many math-themed board games, apps, and online resources that can make learning math more entertaining.

Here are few math games we would recommend:

Sum Swamp: In this game, players navigate through a swamp by adding and subtracting numbers. It's a fun way to practice basic arithmetic skills while moving around the game board.

Math War: Math War is a simple card game where players compete to see who has the highest sum, difference, product, or quotient. It's a fast-paced game that helps reinforce basic arithmetic operations.

Prime Climb: Prime Climb is a strategic board game that combines math with racing. Players move their pawns along a track by rolling dice and using multiplication and division to reach prime numbers.

Focus on the Understanding

Encourage your child to understand the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing procedures. Help them see the "why" behind the math by asking questions and discussing different problem-solving strategies.

Find Some Resources to Complete at Home

Take advantage of resources such as textbooks, workbooks, online tutorials, and educational websites to supplement your child's learning. Many schools also offer math support programs or tutoring services.

There’s a whole plethora of math curriculums to do with your kid at home. Please remember to think as to what will suit your child best.

Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers free online math courses and practice exercises covering a wide range of topics from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus. It's a great resource for self-paced learning and personalized instruction.

Beast Academy: Beast Academy is a curriculum developed by the Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) that focuses on developing students' problem-solving skills and mathematical reasoning. It's designed for students in grades 2-5 and uses comic book-style illustrations to engage learners. (US-Based but you can order books to the UK).

Singapore Math: Singapore Math is a highly regarded math curriculum known for its focus on problem-solving and conceptual understanding. You can find Singapore Math workbooks and textbooks online or in bookstores to use at home. (US-Based but you can order books to the UK).

Mathseeds: Mathseeds is an online math program designed for young learners (ages 3-9) that focuses on building foundational math skills through interactive activities, games, and lessons. It covers topics such as counting, addition, subtraction, and more.

Solving Problems

You can highlight where we need maths by pointing out examples. It presents learning opportunities as you can teach them about the operations to use, for example division and give them the chance to practise. 

A Tutor

If you’re not particularly good at maths, or your child's at a more challenging stage of their education, you may find that you need a tutor. They are skilled at teaching children and are well aware of the curriculum so you can rest assured that they’re receiving the right help. It also means that you can focus your attention elsewhere as being a parent’s a busy job.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.