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 doand 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 EventsTake 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.
CookingCooking 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 AttitudeNever 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 PrintHaving 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.