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How You Can Help Your Child Succeed in Math
Mathematics is a cumulative subject, always building on previous concepts and foundations as lessons become more advanced. Because of this, it is very important to address any problems young children face in math early on. Once students feel behind the rest of the class, it is difficult for them to find the motivation and confidence to catch back up. Here are a few ways you can help students be more successful with math, a skill that will be important throughout their school careers and possibly in the job market as well.
Understanding the Basics
Without a real understanding of the foundation of math, all other ideas become lost in translation. Make sure your child understands the concepts behind math, otherwise they are just relying on memorization to make it through homework and tests. Knowing a basic fact means the child can answer within a few seconds. It’s possible you will have to help them get to this point with certain fundamental concepts. Flash cards can help students retain information quickly and clearly. Others who may be more visual learners might gain a better understanding when they work with tangible objects and see the results before them.
Go Beyond Assignments
Most children won’t willingly take on more homework on their own accord. However, if they are struggling with a particular concept, sometimes the best way to get through the struggle is by practicing. Doing a few extra problems can help them finally grasp the lesson and build better confidence.
The Mathematical Vocabulary
Math can have a vocabulary all its own, and one that can add to a student’s confusion. Just like in science, or a foreign language, without the proper vocabulary, you can’t gain a complete understanding of what’s in front of you. Make sure your child understands each new term they learn in math. If they are struggling with certain ones, give them simple examples to help clearly illustrate the meaning.
Help When It’s Needed
Because math almost always builds on previous concepts, it’s important to check for true understanding at each level. For example, if you don’t understand decimals, it’s likely you will struggle with percentages too. If your child isn’t getting the help they need from the teacher, tutoring can be a great option. One-on-one instruction and guided practice with a tutor can help solidify a great basis of understanding to build on in the future.
