Math skills improve by doing math every day – just like reading skills improve by reading every day. According to Michael Priyev, founder of New York City’s Eureka Math Tutors, “Math has the power to strike fear into the hearts of children and adults alike.” On her part, Mallory Sivestri, a teacher at Austintown Fitch High School in Ohio, says that a lack of math mastery doesn’t affect only math, but has consequences on many life skills. “I’ve seen it impact on telling time, counting money, and in science.”
Priyev gives three excellent tips about how parents can help their children to build confidence in mathematics and thrive at school, and in life.
1. Build or reinforce your child’s math foundations
Students who have difficulties in math in elementary school and beyond are often lacking some crucial basic elements in the subject.
2. Stimulate your child’s math flexibility
People who excel in math know that 7 + 8 = 15, but that the same result can be found by using friendlier numbers, like 10 + 5. Parents and early childhood teachers should teach math fluency by playing number games with the kids. Any game involving strategy, problem-solving, counting, combining, categorizing, separating will improve a child’s math ability as well as “real-world preparedness.”
3. Make Math an everyday adventure for your child
Applying the two previous tips will make math practice an everyday adventure for your child. Math skills improve by doing math every day, just like reading skills improve by reading every day. “Repetition is the only way to build basic skills and to give the confidence kids need,” adds Silvestri.
Picture: Arcanys Early Learning Foundation
