Math or maths (as we call it in India) is a subject that excites the curiosity of some children while scaring some others. And as a parent, while we may know how our child perceives the subject, it would be unsurprising if we often wonder how to bridge the gap between learning math and the formulae in it while also nurturing a love of learning math for our children. The fact of the matter is that math is not actually that dry or complex even. It’s a beautiful language that forms the basis for the world around us, from the patterns in nature to the technology we use every day.
Here, in this article, we will discuss how to make math fun and engaging , highlight the importance of a strong foundation, and equip you with strategies to foster a growth mindset. Through this, we will empower you on your journey to support your child’s math learning.
Simplifying Math by Building a Strong Foundation
Many children struggle with math due to a weak foundation in core concepts. Early exposure to numbers, shapes, and patterns helps build a solid base for future learning. This will help them on their math journey. Here’s how a strong foundation helps students:
- It provides a confidence boost: Mastering basic skills fosters confidence, allowing children to approach more complex concepts with a positive attitude.
- It improves problem-solving prowess: Math helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, applicable both in school and in life.
- It has real-world relevance: Understanding math unlocks a deeper understanding of the world around us, from budgeting and cooking to understanding scientific concepts.
Making Math Fun and Engaging at Home
The key to helping children find their love for math lies in making it fun and engaging. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Learning Through Play:
Here are some ideas to help your child learn math by playing.
- Math games: Board games like Monopoly can introduce counting, addition, and subtraction in a playful way. Card games like Uno can help with number recognition and matching.
- Transform the ordinary: Grocery shopping can become a lesson in budgeting and estimation. And cooking involves measuring ingredients. And to do that, one has to learn fractions.
- Promote active learning: Incorporate movement into math practice. Hop on one foot for multiples of 2, jump two steps for even numbers, and so on.
- Make math visible and accessible: Use counters, blocks, or even Legos to represent numbers and concepts. This hands-on approach helps children visualize and understand abstract ideas.
Additionally, when your child makes a mistake, try to reframe it as a learning opportunity. Use that time to discuss challenges, how to overcome the challenges, and appreciate your child for the effort they are putting in to solve the problem. It is best to not focus only on the final answer, acknowledge the steps involved in getting to the right answer.
Real-World Applications of Math
One other way that you could help your child understand math and its relevance in real life is by
connecting the concepts to things they interact with daily.
- Finding Math in Nature: Observe patterns in nature, like the symmetry in flowers, spirals found in sunflowers, and shapes of fruits and vegetables.
- Math in Action: Demonstrate how integral math is to different careers. For instance, ask your child to draw a diagram for a house and show them how different shapes are important in construction and how different measurements are integral to the whole.
How BYJU’S Can Help Your Child Learn Math
If you are looking for a solution that will integrate all of the above ideas, then BYJU’S has the answer. BYJU’S makes math interesting and engaging through thought-provoking questions.
For instance, take this problem. First, we can see that 1/9 = 0.111…, 2/9 =0.222…, 3/9 =0.333…, and so on till 8/9 = 0.888…. But, when it comes to 9/9, something slightly different happens. To know what happens, see this simple animation below:
Or, here’s another common question that children might have. While this may not seem like an out and out math question, the answer to this lies in basic math. And the question is simple: Do all the people participating in running races run the same distance since they all start at different positions on the track? Well, here’s the answer:
These are some of the simple ways in which BYJU’S helps your child understand and learn math concepts. If you would like your child to learn through methods like these, then look no further than the offerings at BYJU’S.
How does BYJU’S facilitate your child’s learning? Does it have enough options for you to choose from? Well, all the details are here and you can choose from the following options:
BYJU’S The Learning App
BYJU’S The Learning App was designed in-house to deliver the best learning experience for children. It contains the following:
- Detailed Visuals: The app contains high-quality videos that make use of interactive animations to teach students. The videos simplify complex topics so that they are easier to digest.
- Personalisation: The app is designed to adjust to your child’s learning speed, ensuring that they understand fundamental concepts before moving on to advanced topics.
- Practice Modules: The app also contains a wide range of practice questions and quizzes to test your child’s knowledge and reinforce what they learnt.
Click here to download BYJU’S The Learning App now!
BYJU’S Tuition Centres (Hybrid)
BYJU’S has tuition centres which offer a hybrid learning experience for your child based on whether they would prefer offline classes or a mix of both online and offline classes. Here’s what the BYJU’S tuition centres offer:
- Personalised Tutoring: The centres offer small class sizes and offer your child personalized attention from excellent educators.
- A Hybrid Learning Model: As mentioned previously, flexibility is key. Your child can choose to attend classes online or offline or make use of a mix of both depending on what they are comfortable with.
- An Interactive Learning Environment: The centres offer engaging classroom activities for the students to learn better and enhance their understanding.
Click here to register for BYJU’S Tuition Centres.
BYJU’S Tuitions (Online)
BYJU’S also offers online-only tuitions for your child for their comfort and convenience. Here’s what the BYJU’S online tuitions offer:
- Live, Interactive Sessions: Your child can participate in real-time classes where they can ask questions and get their doubts clarified instantly.
- Access to Concept Videos: Your child can access recordings of concepts to revisit to brush up on them. They will also help them better understand concepts.
- Assessments: There are assessments that can be taken by your child to check their understanding, track their progress, and to identify areas for improvement.
Click here to register for BYJU’S Classes!
Conclusion
When you interact actively with your child’s journey in education, your positive attitude will matter a lot. And by making math look engaging, fun, and relevant, you create positive associations in your child’s mind about the subject. This, in turn, will help them unlock the magic of math.