This is a collaborative post
Maths – love it or hate it, it’s vital for us all. Maths plays an integral part in most careers to some degree or other so it’s important for children to get a handle on it early.
Fear of maths is one of the most detrimental issues for many children and if your child finds maths difficult, it can feel like an uphill struggle.
Helping with homework can lead to tears and frustration but hang in there! All children have subjects they find tricky – the way forward is to find the fun in maths.
How to make maths more friendly
If your child is struggling with maths, it’s important that you speak to their teacher to ascertain which areas are hard for them.
For younger children, having the basics like timetables firmly in place is vital. Find out in which area your child needs support and make a plan to provide extra time or tuition where possible.
Explain to your child that not everyone can find maths easy – some children are good at maths, some aren’t and it’s the same for adults. Not being naturally good at maths is fine! Just as not everyone is good at art or sports.
Go slowly
If your child feels under pressure to grasp an idea as fast as their peers but simply can’t…then that’s where things turn bad. Children at this co-educational prep school in Oxford are encouraged to push their own boundaries with their work and pupils grow beyond even their own expectations.
Let your child know that working at their own pace is not only allowed but encouraged and they will begin to relax.
Skipping over important parts of a lesson because a child finds it tricky is not advisable. Stick with the problem until your child fully understands it and can practice it more than once without help.
Praise, praise and praise again
For every time your child sits and tries – praise them. Not only when they succeed in what they’re attempting, but when they simply do their best.
Feeling good about learning is the key to learning effectively.
