According to national polls, many adults dislike math at school. If you’re one of these people, you need to be aware that your attitude may not be shared with your child. This can lead to anxiety and is very contagious. Help your child get better at math by showing confidence in routine tasks such as counting money for school fundraisers, estimating the cost a purchase, and completing your tax return. Explain to your child that AMC8 classes are always accessible and that support is just a click away.
It is also possible to highlight the importance of math in various professions, such as architecture, medicine, fashion, management, and computer programming. Making small changes in the way you talk about mathematics can make a big difference, and may even inspire your child to get more interested in math.
Encourage your child to use math every day
Encourage your child’s ability to solve math problems outside of school. Ask your child to calculate the cost of four cans tuna fish. Ask her in the car how long it will take you to get to your destination, based on your speed. Ask her at the toy shop to calculate the cost of a discounted toy, and how long she will need to save up enough money to purchase it.
Learn the learning standards
It is important to understand what math skills your child should be learning in his current grade. Here’s what math skills your child should be learning in kindergarten, first grade, second grade and third grade. Watch our Milestones videos to see grade-level math skills. It’s easier to help your child learn by knowing what they should be doing.
You can monitor your child’s math homework
Are math assignments for your child rote or creative? Does the teacher give students a “problem of week” to test their understanding of mathematical concepts and help them understand the concept better? Ask your child’s teacher what techniques she uses for helping students master math.
Attention to the details
Help your child with math homework by making sure that she does all the work, solves equations correctly and makes sure she has correct answers. It is a good idea not to distract your child from homework and to set aside the same time each day.
Math games you can play at home
Math-related games are available for your child to play. Students can start to enjoy math in elementary school by playing games like chess and dominoes, cribbage and checkers.
Math books are recommended.
Schools are integrating diverse subjects into their curriculum to make it easier for students to connect. How can you incorporate math into a history or English class. Reading books where the main characters use logic or math to solve problems is one way. Examples of such books are One Hundred Angry Ants, The King’s Commissioners and Socrates & the Three Little Pigs written by Tuyosi Moi.
