Maths made easy? 3 tips to help kids learn
Whilst some people love maths, an even greater number have nightmares about their school maths lessons even into adulthood. Some struggled to understand. Some found that they couldn't keep up. Many did not receive the right support.
At a crucial age for learning, many children find maths to be a particularly tricky subject. With the right support they'll thrive, but often children are left to struggle just when they need the most help. The result? Lifelong anxiety.
Making maths easy for children can lead them to incredible earning potential. These are essential skills for the future, so important for technology and engineering, and so many youngsters are lacking them. More importantly, you could turn maths lessons into something enjoyable rather than something to be feared. Here are three tips to help kids learn maths:
1. Create overall resilience
A resilient mind is more able to learn. A child that's resilient can face their struggles head-on, without giving up at the very first sign of a challenge.
The right learning mindset is crucial.
We're focusing more than ever on the importance of mental health, which is great news for learning and development. A happy child is one that will learn effectively, and be glad to do so.
If a child feels comfortable even when they're knocked back, they'll keep making an effort. If they take constructive criticism badly, or are afraid of doing things wrong, then they'll switch off and struggle to learn.
As well as teaching practical maths skills, it's important to take time to build your child's self-esteem and to work on good mental health. Praise them when they do well, but avoid negative reactions when they struggle or do something wrong. Everyone makes mistakes, even grown-ups, and your children will do better if they're supported through their problems rather than being chastised for them.
A positive attitude is important, and encouraging your child to feel good about their ability will ensure that they "try and try again".
2. Make learning a regular activity
Did you know that children forget their lessons during the six week summer holidays? Young brains need a break, but complete stagnation isn't ideal. In fact, the first six weeks of the autumn term are spent relearning old material at school.
It's estimated that 2-3 hours of active learning, each week through the summer, could be enough to prevent summer learning loss.
Hiring a tutor could make an enormous difference to a child's 'back to school' experience. Instead of feeling anxious or worried, they'll go back ahead of their peers and can confidently share what they know.
A few extra hours of tutoring does not take away from their summer holiday experience and can make their maths lessons a lot less scary once they're ready to return in September.
3. Work with tips and tricks
Whilst they are no substitute for proper learning, maths tips and tricks can make some of those trickier concepts less stressful. For example, you can use the digits of your hands for multiplying by 9.
There's even a trick to help you to memorise the first few digits of pi!
If a child feels confident, and if maths feels easy (or at least, not too challenging), then lessons can be properly enjoyed. Maths can be fun.
With the right support and assistance, your child will be comfortable with mathematics. In the modern world, that comfortable confidence could lead them to the job of their dreams - or could simply provide them with essential maths skills that they'll use throughout life without feelings of worry or fear.
