Mathematics is one of the most important subjects taught in school. From nursery, children learn about numbers, arithmetic and geometry.
When it comes to math for kids, it's either you catch them young or never do. Math is one subject that most adults and children alike find challenging to understand. This is why kids need to learn math early, get acquainted with it, and develop an interest in learning more. Knowing the right guide to teaching math to kids is essential to make math easy for the child.
What is math, or what is math for kids? These are the questions on the mind of parents whenever deciding on teaching math to their kids. Math for kids is the early exposure of kids to different math problems and helping them to answer questions on basic arithmetic as they grow.
Throughout primary and secondary school, children are constantly delving deeper with their understanding, learning to break down numbers and do multiplication for the first time with a multiplication table, as well as tracing geometric shapes.
Later on, in their academic careers, students are taught about algebra, trigonometry and calculus.
The basics must be mastered if students want to increase their chances of academic success in the future. And if they face obstacles along the way, there are solutions available to help.
Emphasizing math from kindergarten will provide children with a strong basis for reasoning, estimation and thinking logically in later life. Playing games related to math, completing exercises with them during the holidays and searching for math tutors together will increase their interest and expertise.
The Aim of Learning Math at Nursery School and Kindergarten
Nursery school and kindergarten are the places where children first encounter math as a subject.
The teaching of the subject is divided into 5 disciplines, with the objective of giving children the building blocks to structure their thinking.
Before starting school, children already have the ability to intuitively recognize different sizes without putting figures to them.
Some can even put numbers in order.
The input during the nursery years prepares learners for starting primary school.
The math concepts that young children discover at nursery school are divided into 2 groups:
- Learning numbers and how to use them
- Exploring shapes, sizes and sequences
Teaching methods should be adapted to the needs of the children according to their age.
For example, children should learn by:
- Playing educational games
- Solving and correcting problems
- Pushing themselves to attempt harder questions
- Revising until solutions become reflexes
Once the learner has finished nursery, they will move on to:
- Using numbers: evaluating and comparing collections of objects, using numbers to define the position of an object relative to another, being able to communicate to inform of quantity
- Studying numbers: knowing that you get the following number by adding 1 to the previous, quantifying collections of up to 10 and being able to divide or chunk them, being able to count to 30 and reading written numbers up to 10
- Exploring shape, size and pattern: an introduction to geometry and measuring which can be manipulated, being able to compare and describe shapes
All of these basic skills will serve students later on in life when they need to manage their finances or start a business.
Math Teaching at Primary School
3 in 10 primary school leavers have not fully mastered math and therefore start secondary school with gaps in their knowledge.
This means that there is a place for academic support for students who find themselves in difficulty with their math studies.
By the end of primary school, children should be able to represent numbers and quantities, reason when problem-solving, calculate and communicate about the order of operations and show their working to math questions.
Children are usually put into sets once they start year 7, which enables a math tutor to adapt their methods to the needs and abilities of their students.
Schools usually set students based on their year 6 SATs results and their performance in the first few weeks of Key Stage 3.
Personalised and tailored support can be just what children need to boost their self-esteem both inside and outside of the classroom and make good progress.
In the primary school math syllabus, there are three main themes:
- Number sense and calculation
- Quantities and measurements
- Geometry
Learning is gradual since year 7 provides an opportunity to deepen the topics already covered in KS2 math.
In their math lessons, primary students study:
- Numeracy: pupils manipulate numbers, break them down into units, tens and hundreds, look at the properties of numbers (even and odd, for example)
- Measurement: learn the units of measurement, conversions, measurements of time
- Calculation: addition and subtraction, multiplication and division on two-digit decimal numbers and mental arithmetic
- Geometry: properties of polygons and solids, calculation of an area, perimeter and volume.
The teaching and hands-on learning strategies work to get students using their skills including solving problems, models, representing, reasoning, calculating and communicating.
In order to remedy the difficulties that students may encounter, in-class tests, as well as end-of-year exams, are taken to provide the right help for students and set them for next year’s lessons.
Teachers should either provide or suggest supplemental support for pupils who are having difficulty with their learning.
It is also possible for school pupils to take refresher courses through the school holidays.
Tailored support remains crucial in the education of the pupil, especially in primary school where children learn the fundamentals of math which will serve them for the rest of their lives.
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Arithmetic for Children: Essential Skills
Math is everywhere. Throughout our lives, we need to make decisions informed by mathematical reasoning.
It is therefore essential that children have the opportunity to see the links between the major disciplines which form a solid base for building their knowledge.
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The first calculations done by a child represent a big step in their learning. Beyond knowing their times tables by heart, this shows that they have taken a logical route to finding a solution.
Knowing the sign for 'add' and the one for 'subtract', finding the product and the difference are all steps along the path to a way of thinking that seems obvious to adults but is quite advanced for young students!
By using arithmetic to solve a problem, children familiarise themselves with the properties of numbers and how to manipulate them. With practice, this becomes easier and children will be able to do simple sums as a reflex. Children will also employ techniques and develop automatic reactions to mental arithmetic questions.
To help them make good progress, it is important that children can see the applications of math in real life. Visual association will help the child develop an appreciation for operations and their uses as they can see an end goal.
And math mastery is down to practice!
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Tools to Help Children Practice Math
Is your child struggling with math? Don’t let problems fester.
Before turning to a private math tutor, think about offering an alternative approach to learning to help your child view math problems from a different angle.
With a fun approach to learning, you child will be able to improve their skills whilst enjoying themselves!
Exercises During School Holidays
Exercise books help children to stay on the ball and commit information to memory during the time when they are not at school.
Self-motivated children will enjoy working through their homework books and may not even see it as work.
Even so, if your child sees workbooks in a negative light, they are far less likely to work hard and it and take it seriously, and there will, therefore, be little benefit.
This is why it is important for parents to encourage their children along the way, providing support in their learning.
Educational Apps
Children love playing on phones and tables, which is perfect for getting them to play educational games!
Apps for learning times tables are particularly easy to find. The child can track their progress, which motivates them to keep improving.
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These apps are real games with challenges to overcome, levels to pass and a story to follow.
Cartoons
It’s easy to find educational cartoons online, which can help explain math to children.
Supporting your child this way will give them the opportunity to learn math by a different, and maybe more effective method than the ones used at school.
Learning about a new topic which is explained visually can completely turn around a child’s understanding.
Board Games
Do you enjoy playing games as a family?
If your youngster is struggling with their math skills, why not suggest playing an educational board game adapted to their age?
Developing logic and reasoning skills, learning calculations and broadening their understanding of graphing are all advantages of family games, which allow the child to make progress without feeling isolated.
Having a good time with their parents can mean a boost in self-esteem for children and they learn without any pressure.
Beyond helping your child with their math by incorporating it into games, you can also make math a part of your day-to-day life.
Without pressing them too much for an answer, ask your child questions to help them learn to appreciate the practical uses of math in real life.
Baking a cake is a good time to get in some practice:
- I have a mug of 100g of flour and I need 250g of flour for the recipe. How many mugs of flour should I use?
- If I put the cake in the oven at 3:50pm for 25 minutes, when will it be ready?
There are many ways to get your children to appreciate math and its uses, and this is completely worth the effort as laying a solid foundation will enable learners to build their knowledge with less difficulty later on.
What Does Math for Kids Entail?
At the early stage of their lives, children learn by playing and acting out what they see. Introducing math to kids shouldn't be different; learning math is fun and playful. If math is taught in this manner, it'll help them learn efficiently and passionately.
Math for kids is about patterns, structures, and manipulations of numbers. Teaching math to kids starts with counting, addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. As the kids grow older, they learn bigger numbers, fractions, and algebra. Later on, students are taught calculus, trigonometry, and geometry at advanced levels. All these math courses are incorporated into their curriculum and simplified into bits for better comprehension.
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How Can Math be Taught Efficiently to Kids?
Teaching math to kids may seem arduous, but it is easy with the right pattern and technique. In learning math, children, parents, and the teacher should ensure math is seen as fun by the child. All that is needed for this is the right strategy that goes beyond pencil or pen and paper. Here are some effective methods for teaching kids math;
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Bring out the Abacus
A good old abacus is an effective tool for teaching math to kids. The kids can be taught subtraction, addition, division, and multiplication while sliding the beads up and down. The abacus has, over the years, served the purpose of building problem-solving skills in children.
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Using math games
Math games make studying mathematics an activity that kids can enjoy, look forward to, and embrace. Using games to teach kids math is very efficient and easy; it helps them identify and use numbers often. No matter the kid's age, there is a game for teaching math. Math games can also be made available to kids on their phones, tablets, or computers.
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Baking while learning math
Whether baking cookies, cupcakes, or pizza, it's always a good opportunity for kids to learn math. Kids can learn counting, fractions, addition, division, multiplication, and subtraction while baking these treats. Kids can also learn geometry by using dough to form various shapes. After learning, kids can enjoy their creations while remembering every bit of them.
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Combine music and math
Ever wondered why you can still remember the words to your nursery rhymes? That's because music is a great tool for memorizing; using it to teach math will help kids remember. Kids can learn math by singing about math principles or using musical components to represent numbers.
With music, students can learn counting, addition, subtraction and use them all to solve basic math problems.
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Incorporate math into daily activities
Math is such a big part of our daily lives that incorporating math lessons into daily activities for kids is easy. This can help kids learn math consciously and subconsciously. For example, you can ask kids to count the number of cars at stop signs or add up the numbers of small grocery purchases.
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Hire a private math tutor
Parents without any teaching experience can get math help for their kids. They can do this by hiring professional math tutors from the Superprof platform to take them home tuition. Finding a good math tutor for your kids on Superprof is an easy task as we have math teachers everywhere in Canada.
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What Are Fun Math Games That Children Can Play?
In the past, math games involved physical activities and board games that kept kids entertained while learning. As a result, the world has gradually evolved into a digital age with almost a virtual representation of every physical activity.
Kids can now play educational and fun math games online on their mobile phones, laptop, or computer. Some of these games can be played offline or online, depending on the game type.
Some physical math games and activities that kids can have fun with are;
- Number puzzle
- Chutes and ladders
- Yahtzee
- Hi Ho Cherry O
- Payday
- Luda
- Monopoly.
Other fun math games include a Scavenger hunt and quizzes.
Furthermore, some online and offline games that can be installed for the kids include;
- Splash learn
- Khan academy
- Kids math
- Monster math
- The math tree
- Marble math junior
- Moose math
Why is Making Math Fun for Kids Important?
Are you wondering why math for kids should be fun? Well, Superprof has put together some important reasons why teaching math the fun way to kids is an important thing, and they include:
- It helps them develop a positive mindset towards math
- It increases students' enthusiasm and excitement towards the subject all their life.
- It captures the attention of kids while in a math class or taking any math-related course.
- It ensures every child interacts and participate during math class
Can Children Take Online Math Courses?
Websites like Superprof are safe and kid-friendly enough for children to take online math courses. In addition to this, children can find useful resources and take practice tests on Superprof.
Online math courses also allow children the flexibility to learn math at their convenience. The children can be more comfortable and focused in their online math class. Taking an online math course can cost less than physical classes because many of the materials are available online. Also, the online space makes it easy for kids to have access to advanced math courses. Finally, an online math class gives kids the personalized attention that is required for learning.
What Are 5 Things You Must Know Before Providing Math Help for Kids?
Math as a subject is so relevant that you should take no chances if your kids face difficulty. Getting math help for kids immediately after any challenge is detected is very important. However, it's also crucial to ensure you're getting the right help. Here are five important tips to note when providing math help for kids;
First, you need to identify the main reasons why kids struggle with math. Talk to your child, be observant, and note what the main issue is. It could be because the kids do not have the right learning materials or have mental challenges with what they are taught. What you discover will determine the type of help your kids need.
Secondly, it is important to know if your schedule permits you to teach your child as a parent. If your schedule doesn't permit you to teach your child, you can decide how best to help.
Thirdly, kids' age is a factor to consider when providing math help for them. Children of different ages require different teaching patterns and math courses. Older kids will require more advanced teaching techniques and fun math games.
Also, finding the right online site and fun math games that are kid-friendly is essential. When looking for the best site to get professional math tutors and detailed lessons, Superprof is considered the best option.
Lastly, identify the best help option for your kids. You have to decide if your kids need online math courses or a private math tutor. The help you choose has to meet your kids' math needs and be consistent with their age.
How Can You Make Math Class Interactive for Kids?
Children can easily lose concentration and get bored in a math class if there is no interaction. For example, an incompetent math teacher will solve math equations without caring if the kids are following or not. This kind of math class can make students lose interest in math or see it as an insurmountable mountain.
A good way to make math class interactive for kids is to introduce fun math games based on the course being treated. Doing this will pique the student's interest in learning math and make learning easy for them. Math is fun, motivating, and enticing if it is engaging and interactive. You can achieve all this by ensuring kids have learned the right way and at the best pace.
Why Should You Hire a Tutor to Provide Math Help for Your Kids?
Are you wondering if hiring a tutor to provide math help to your child is a good investment or not? Then, here are some reasons why we think you should hire a tutor;
- Hiring a tutor helps your kids learn more in less time as the lesson supports your child's unique learning style.
- A tutor can motivate your child to develop a passion for learning.
- Hiring a private tutor is convenient and affordable as you can consider the virtual option.
- Your child can get that personalized learning experience from a tutor that will improve their overall performance.
- It makes your kids bolder and open to discussing their math difficulties.
In conclusion, all the math help you need for your kids can be found on Superprof. Superprof is a reliable and safe learning website where your kids can take fun online math courses. Also, you can find a professional and experienced math tutor close to your home anywhere you are in Canada.
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