Math is a difficult subject and boring for most students. It is also the most important subject of any curriculum as it is used in almost every field of science. However, as children don’t get to see much of its practical use in their early life, they start to lack interest. If you are worried that your kids will be left behind, here is how you can help them improve in Mathematics.
Identify their Weak Points
As a parent, it is your responsibility to pay attention to the concerns of your children. While many kids find math boring, they still study it until they develop an interest. If your kid has been left behind, there might be more reasons. You need to identify what gets in their way of learning. See which concepts are difficult to grasp for kids and pay special attention to them.
Play Mathematical Games
Kids like games. They can play games for hours without getting tired. Best of all, they actually pay full attention to gaming and do it with fun. You can mix mathematics with games to make it interesting. For example, math puzzles are very popular in this regard. Kids develop emotional and cognitive skills solving puzzles in addition to learning math. You can find puzzles for kids of every grade and for every concept that needs attention.
Take Them Shopping and Do Math
Shopping requires the practical use of math that could catch children’s interest. Every time you are making a grocery list, include your kids in the process. They should know what you need to buy and in what quantity. Take them with you to the store and use their help in getting the right amount. The main part comes when you have to manage how much each item costs, how much money you have, and how much you need to pay. While doing the math yourself, have your kids do it too. Show that you rely on them so they would do it with concentration.
Have Them Help in Cooking
It is believed that cooking can help kids understand some foundations of mathematics. While simple addition and subtraction are not a big problem, their proper use to solve a problem can be confusing. They will learn how using the right quantity in the right steps is important. It will also teach them to follow instructions. Have them answer questions like how much sugar or other ingredients to use. For example, if you need to use two eggs for sugar with one cup of milk, how many eggs do they need for five cups?
Limit the Use of Calculators
Only professionals should use calculators. They make students rely on them too much. It takes away the thinking and solving math problems in the head. Children can’t build a strong foundation for this subject until they start to do each step in their head. Calculators are allowed so kids can learn their use when, in fact, there is no need to learn them. They are self-explanatory, and no one needs classes on how to use a calculator.
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