Top Tips for Helping Your Child With Maths

Children are on average more likely to take up a career that involves maths or science if they’re helped along the way by their parents. It may be a stressful subject for them at times, but it does help your child with a lot of other areas in their school career, such as studying science.

In this guide from this English Summer School, we take a look at the top tips to help your child when they’re struggling with maths, and ways to motivate yourself in helping them too.

Positivity is key

You might really enjoy doing maths yourself, or you loathed it as a child. But no matter how you feel about it, you should ensure that you’re motivating your child to do their best. Encouraging your child to at least try, with a positive attitude, can show to your child you’re keen to see them grow. We all know how much our children pick up on our own thoughts and feelings, so project the good into their learning and they’ll be much more willing to try their best.

Aim to practice maths once a day

It can be small tasks or even larger pieces of homework, but a little bit of practice every day will keep them focused. There are small ways to practice your child’s maths skills when you’re on the go, such as deliberately making errors and your child has to change them, or getting them to count how many people are in a queue you’re waiting in. 

In the media, singing songs and TV shows often have a segment on practicing numbers. Give these songs a try with your child to see what they remember. Free play time is also a good time to get some number games out to play with your child and keep their brain active.

Recognising numbers

Children will only progress in their maths skills if they know the foundations first: how to recognise different numbers. This is a quick and easy task you can do every day when you’re around your child, such as pointing out numbers on signs or football t-shirts. Ask them questions about numbers when you’re out and about and see which ones they remember.

When they’re older, times tables and working out sums on the go are also good activities to get used to. You can also bring along maths activities books to look at on breaks or on long car journeys together. Every little part counts!