Things Every Parent Can Do To Improve Their Child’s
Success In Math
In
everyday interactions with children, there are many things that parents can do—and
do without lecturing or applying pressure—to help children learn to solve
problems, to communicate mathematically and to demonstrate reasoning abilities.
These skills are fundamental to learning mathematics.
Recognizing Math
Vocabulary in Everyday Events
Take
time to point out math situations and especially math vocabulary in print in
your everyday lives. Start with the breakfast cereal box and read the ounces
and servings on the box. Open a bank account for your child and teach them how
to make deposits, count money, balance a checkbook, sort and classify. While at
the grocery store talk about what you see on package labels and point out the
abbreviations for ounce, pint, quart, gallon and pound. There are endless
teaching opportunities throughout the course of a day to reinforce math
vocabulary and skills.
Cooking
Cooking
is all about math - and what a great way to spend some quality time with your
child. Make chocolate chip cookies together. Have your child help you with
dinner, all while throwing in a pinch of math.
Have
your child help read the recipe.
Ask
questions such as “If you put 7 dinner rolls on the table and each person has
one, how many will be left over?”
Talk
about how many cups in a pint, how many pints in a quart, etc.
Always Have a
Positive Math Attitude
Never
say things like, “Our family is just not good at math.” Children are like sponges
and will also adopt that attitude.
Vocabulary
Flashcards /Exposure to Math Vocabulary in Print
Having
difficult math vocabulary words and phrases exposed to them in print is key to
their math and standardized testing success, including word problem mastery.
Vocabulary cards may be used for other reading skills such as alphabetizing,
clapping syllables, usage in a sentence and drawing a picture of the vocabulary
word – anything for added exposure to the written math vocabulary words.
Take Risks!
Help
your child to be a risk taker. Help him see the value of trying to solve a
problem, even if it's difficult.
Give
your child time to explore different approaches to solving a difficult problem.
As he works, encourage him to talk about what he is thinking. This will help
him to strengthen math skills and to become an independent thinker and problem
solver.
Math
affects all aspects of our daily lives. Try to make it more fun then just standing over your child’s
shoulder while he/she completes their math homework. Then, everyone is a
winner.
