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1.
Make sure your children understand mathematical concepts
Otherwise, math becomes a
meaningless mental exercise of just memorizing rules and
doing rote drills. Have your children use manipulatives
in order to visualize the math that is occurring.
Click
here and
here for virtual manipulatives.
2. Help them master
the basic facts.
Mastery of a basic fact
means that children can give an answer in three seconds
or less. Considerable drill is required for children to
give quick responses. Use flash cards, play math games,
and internet math games to practice frequently. If a
child doesn't seem to understand the answers, use
manipulatives to help them understand.
Click
here for websites that drill math facts.
3. Teach them to
write their numbers neatly.
25% of all mathematical
errors occur because of sloppy number writing or not
lining numbers up correctly. Improve your children's
number writing skills by having them trace over numbers
you have written, or by using graph paper to
write the numbers neatly and more organized.
4. Provide help
immediately when your children need it.
Math is one subject in
which everything builds upon what has been previously
learned. For example, failure to understand fractions
leads to problems with decimals.
5. Show them how to
handle their math homework.
Doing math homework
reinforces the skills your children are learning in
class. Teach them to begin every assignment by studying
the textbook or worksheet samples.
6. Encourage your
children to do more than the assigned work.
Considerable practice is
necessary for your children to become comfortable with
their math skills. If the teacher only assigns the even
numbers, having them do the odd problems will strengthen
their skills.
Click
here for
extra practice!
7. Explain how to
solve word problems
Teach your children to
read a word problem at least two times, if not more, in
order to fully comprehend what is being asked of them.
Have them draw a picture of what is happening in the
word problem, or make a chart in order to describe it.
Ask them what is being asked of them, what type of
operation is necessary and why, and discuss the steps
necessary to solve the problem.
Click
here to learn how to solve story problems.
8. Help your
children learn the vocabulary of mathematics
Check to see if your child
can define vocabulary words from the book. Words that
are not learned should be written on note cards, and you
can play Go Fish or Concentration with the vocabulary
words and definitions.
Click
here for a math vocabulary list.
9. Teach them how to
do math in their head- "Mental Math"
Help them to understand
that if they know 2+3=5, then they can solve 20+30=50.
10. Make math a part
of your child's daily life.
Math will become more
meaningful when your kids see how important it is in so
many real life situations. Encourage them to use math in
practical ways. For example, ask them to space new
plants a certain distance apart, double a recipe, and
count money when paying bills in stores.
MATH IN THE HOME ACTIVITIES
MATH AT THE GROCERY STORE ACTIVITIES
MATH ON THE GO ACTIVITIES
MATH FOR THE FUN OF IT ACTIVITIES |
