April is Mathematical Awareness Month—a time to celebrate the beauty and importance of maths in our everyday lives. While we often focus on what happens in the classroom, research consistently shows that learning doesn’t stop at the school gates. One of the most significant factors in a child’s mathematical success is the role that parents and carers play in supporting their learning at home.

Parental engagement in maths has been linked to increased confidence, better problem-solving skills, and more positive attitudes towards the subject. A study by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) found that when parents are actively involved in their child’s learning, it can have a significant impact on outcomes. This doesn’t mean parents need to be experts in maths—it’s about fostering an environment where maths is seen as enjoyable, relevant, and a normal part of daily life.

Research from the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) suggests that students whose parents engage in mathematical discussions at home tend to achieve higher scores in maths assessments.  Everyday interactions with maths such as estimating shopping costs or measuring ingredients for cooking can strengthen a child’s conceptual understanding. We should also not underplay simple activities, such as playing games involving numbers, discussing time and money in everyday contexts, or encouraging children to spot patterns as these all help build strong mathematical foundations. However, we know that some parents feel anxious about supporting their child’s maths learning. This is where structured support can make a real difference.

A report by the National Numeracy charity highlights that parental attitudes towards maths significantly shape children’s confidence in the subject. When parents express anxiety about maths, children are more likely to develop similar feelings. Encouraging a growth mindset and demonstrating that maths can be learned through persistence and effort can have a positive impact on children’s attitudes and attainment.

One effective example of increasing parental attitudes to maths is the Mastering Number programme and its parent project. Designed to develop fluency and confidence in early number sense, Mastering Number not only supports children in school but also provides a project in which parents are given accessible ways to reinforce these skills at home. By inviting parents to attend schools to highlight and discuss the importance of number fluency and to work alongside their children with practical activities that help and can be used at home, this project ensures that learning continues beyond the classroom.