If you want your child to find success, make sure you give them a solid foundation in Math. Equipped with the right skills, chances are they may have trouble in school and as they make their careers. Most children with weak math develop math anxiety, due to poor grades and inability to understand the subject. However, with a solid foundation, you will be surprised how that anxiety and stress disappears. You may even see the little one enjoying the subject!
Building a strong Math foundation requires a methodical approach. Most children are not exposed to ongoing practice and a broad introduction that builds deep understanding and confidence. The main mistake that parents tend to make while teaching math is keeping a very narrow focus and reviewing mathematical concepts out of order. Parents also overemphasize on arithmetic and tend to ignore other parts of Math curriculum.
Here are a few math strands that should be covered:
- Operations and number sense– understanding how numbers are represented and identifying “how many” within a group gives way for comprehending number theory.
- Algebra – Even during preschool, learning to identify sets and patterns (“picking up the small blue fish”) helps in creating the base for working with algebraic and unknown variables and helping the child grasp middle school algebra easily.
- Spatial Sense and Geometry – When little ones are taught about basic shapes, they start to enhance their ability to visualize objects, read maps, reason spatially, and ultimately make use of geometry to resolve problems.
- Measurement – Learning the best way to compare and measure is an extremely important life skill that covers the concepts of weight, length, temperature, time, capacity and money.
- Probability and data analysis – Using tables, charts, and graphs will help students in learning to organize and share information about the whole world.
- Put more emphasis on teaching concepts instead of memorization. While memorizing is very helpful, it's a lot better to have the little one learn precisely how the functions of Math work. By doing this, they can also start to apply their understanding in new ways. This is going to help them as they progress to more difficult topics and levels of Math curriculum.
- Enhance the experience of learning by playing different games. For instance, ask them to count the number of pictures on the wall of the living room and then make them count the number of pictures in the bedroom and make them subtract.
Try to understand your child and bring in new methods and ideas that will help them learn Math the best way. It is also important to offer words of encouragement every once in a while, to keep the child motivated.