Making primary maths fun
Making Primary Maths Fun
Maths could be considered to be one of the most challenging subjects when it comes to school. However, once children begin to learn maths, they can see that it helps them with solving maths problems and it helps them get by in everyday life. Despite this, to get to this point, they will need to overcome challenges, frustration and difficulties all of which can result in children becoming disheartened with the subject,
From algebra questions to geometry, there are many aspects to teaching maths. If we set the right foundations and make maths a subject that children enjoy learning, they will be adequately prepared for that time when GCSE maths questions become a part of their education. With this in mind, how can parents make primary maths fun again?
Create Games
There are so many games out there that bring maths to life. In fact, many children are probably not too familiar with old-fashioned board games but they still provide plenty of excitement nonetheless. Therefore, give children the chance to explore games such as monopoly or the Pizza Fraction Fun Game. These games are packed with fun while encouraging children to use their maths skills without them barely realising.
Use Apps
Part of the learning process now involves technology and this is where smart devices can come into play. Children love using them and with so many apps and games available, parents can help them to improve their primary maths skills while enjoying the interactive aspect of apps.
Include Maths in Everyday Life
Whether parents are filling up their car with fuel, travelling on a journey or shopping, we are surrounded by opportunities to learn maths. Parents can get cooking with their children and ask them to weigh out their ingredients before using some of the ingredients and working out what is remaining. If parents are driving on a long journey and are asked how long is left until they arrive at their destination then they can explain that the total journey is 150 miles and they have already driven 45, so how many miles are left? All of these questions pop up in everyday life and that provides the perfect opportunity to get children thinking.
Help Them To Understand the Purpose of Maths
For many children, they do not see the relevance of maths in day-to-day life. However, we all need maths, particularly when we are shopping. Therefore, if you are at the supermarket then parents can ask their children which products offer the best value or what will be the total cost of a range of items. Once they realise that this is all part and a parcel of everyday life, they will value it more and enjoy working out these kinds of things when they are out and about without the need for a prompt.
Ask Relative Thoughtful Questions
Children love nothing more than being asked questions and being asked questions is a crucial part of making maths fun again. If you can tie in these questions with their interests then you can really ignite that spark inside them. If they are a football fan, you can ask them to total up the number of goals scored in several games or if they enjoy pizza then you can ask them if ½ of a pizza is bigger than ¾ of a pizza. These are the sort of questions that will mean something to them and will enhance their experience of maths.
If you can bring their interests to life by asking them questions, then you will encourage them to continually work out maths-related questions each time.
So, maths can be a testing and challenging subject for children. However, parents can play their part in ensuring that they make it as interesting as possible while giving children the chance to learn and progress.