Helping Your Children with Maths

I am often asked by parents what they should do to help their child with maths. For most children practising faster calculation skills such as times tables can really increase their confidence. You can read my blog on learning your times tables here. If you are not confident about your maths skills take the opportunity to learn alongside your child. This models a growth mindset to your child and teaches them that learning is lifelong.

When key calculations become automatic the cognitive load of problem solving is lightened, learners can focus on how to apply their knowledge rather than the basic processes. So here I have gathered together a few strategies for improving calculations that you could try.

Please note: I have not been paid for any recommendations or links in this article, I am recommending them because I think they are good resources. The links are for demonstration purposes - shop around for the best price.

Play Games

It may sound an old fashioned idea to sit around as a family and play board games especially with technology everywhere but family games are a fun way to develop social and academic skills. Scrabble and, it’s easier and faster relative, Bananagrams can help with spelling and vocabulary but now there is Mobi which is the maths equivalent. It’s easy to learn and quick to play – no-one has to wait for their turn and it is great for thinking about equivalent calculations such as 9x2=10+8. Dude Dice is another easy to learn game that encourages faster basic calculation skills and you can extend the game to larger numbers by getting some Dungeons and Dragons style multi-sided dice.

Ask Mathematical Questions

Questioning is the corner stone of good teaching but it can also be a powerful, free tool for parents.

Ask questions at the shops such as “What will 3 of these cost” (multiplication or addition) and “How much change will I get from £5 if I buy this?” (subtraction). If you are buying a pack of 4, you could ask how much each one costs (division). Older children could be encouraged to work out if a discount is a better deal than, say, a larger pack. Simple sale prices like 50% off can be worked out from the original.

However, it is not just at the shops that maths questions can be asked. “How many will we need?” type questions could be asked about gardening, recipes or parties. If you are stuck for a question then “What maths questions could we ask about this?” can allow children to come up with their own challenges.

Use Flashcards

One of my most useful resources is a set of multiplication and division cards. Students “win” any cards they get right, and if they get it wrong we talk about the answer and put it back in the pack for them to “win” later. You can also create cards for basic addition and subtraction calculations because they will create automatic calculation skills that reduce cognitive load when it comes to tackling harder problems.

When the concept of numbers is being taught then Dot cards can help learners to "see" numbers in different formations. Read more about Dot card games for younger learners and print the cards at the NRICH site.

Flashcards are such a simple, virtually-free resource to create and use, just be aware that when your child gets the same question wrong several times that is not a “problem”, it’s part of the learning process. Getting frustrated is counter-productive so stay positive, celebrate mistakes as learning opportunities and encourage the process of “learning” not the outcome of “success”.

Apps and Online Games

These have come last because although there are some great maths games and apps out there they shouldn’t always be the first strategy you use. Maths practise and games online can develop independent learning skills, and they have their place in the overall strategy for helping children learn, but a one-to-one approach has the added benefits of social interaction skills, a clearer understanding of your child’s strengths and family bonding time that doesn’t always happen with an app.

There you have it, some strategies for helping your child with maths. The added bonus is that they also help with your own mental calculations.