12 of 33

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

sandbox or tray of sand. Create more physical games, such as ball games,with math facts.

6) Create "Concentration" games or matching games with math concepts appropriate for your child's developmental level. This memory practice helps with recall and visualization.

7) Use colorful markers and paper, chalkboards, dry-erase boards, and other ways to show real life uses of math."Take apart" word problems to show real life math uses like buying things. You don't have to be an artist to use any representation that can help him or her sort out the information in the story problem. Stick figures,squiggles, boxes, arrows, question marks, .... any representations of what is actually being asked in the word problem. This strategy, once understood, can be used in later grades as a progression toward solving the problem mathematically.

8)Play Store with young children to make their math concepts real. Canned food, packages, boxes,etc. can be used to illustrate how to do math skills even for very young children.

9) Don't forget geometry. Geometry! You say... yes, even young children can begin to see patterns in nature such as symmetry. Architecture in buildings and shapes in art can be explored in the child's environment to make that aspect of math less abstract and more concrete.

10) Whenever possible,make your fun "hands-on" math learning experiences. Your own child may come up with some ways to practice skills... so prepare to be impressed by what even young children can do.Pencil and paper has its place in the math world, that's for sure, but keep the activities age appropriate by using materials that are colorful, with varied sizes and textures.

Be math detectives! Find out your child learns best. Rather than trying the same method over and over again and wondering why you child isn't "getting it"- approach from another direction.

This is a great opportunity to change your child's view of math, especially if he or she is accustomed to repeated worksheets as an approach to math instruction. Build in challenges to your encounters with math. This will also be a good lesson in economics and best uses of money. Whether you are exploring the most basic math skills with a very young child or you are helping a child do his or her math homework, keep it fun and make your child feel success as often as you can.

Learn more about this author, E.M.Robinson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about How to help your child with math?
We want to hear your view. Write now!