“No, I don’t like math.”

“Math is difficult.”

These are common lines we would have heard from many kids. Typically, math is one of those subjects that is somewhat scary for children. The feeling is that math can be dry, or boring. And that it is something that is difficult to master. While your child’s perception of the subject might be something like this, the truth is that math can also be interesting. It need not necessarily be dry and boring.

In fact, we are going to say something that might sound really surprising. We think math can be exciting! Yes, math!

And all we need to do is guide children in such a manner that they see the subject in a new light.

That’s great! But how to do this?

Well, read on to find out!

Find out Where the Issue Lies

When there is a problem, we try to first find out what the issue is. It is the same with children and math. We need to find out where the problem lies. It could be that your child feels that math is full of scary symbols. That could be because they moved from the comfort of dealing with numbers to algebra and there was no time to adjust to it. Understandably, a school teacher might find it somewhat difficult to pay individual attention to all the students in a (large) class.

Another reason could be that your child is beginning to learn about graphs and geometry. These would again be somewhat alien to a child who is used to just plain numbers. When such things happen, it is natural that there is a gentle learning curve. Not to worry. All we need to do is help them understand that math can still be familiar to them and that it won’t be impossible for them to learn.

Some Simple Tips to Help Your Child

Bring in Your Own Experience

When you talk to your child about math concepts, or when you teach them, you could probably explain to them your own experience learning math. There might be concepts that you may have struggled with. This would help your child understand that they are not alone and that it is normal to find some concepts tough. This paints a gentler picture of math for them.

Assist, Don’t Help

When your child is stuck on a math problem, do not give them the answer. This might sound counterintuitive. But stay with us here. If you give the answer directly, that would not help your child want to find out how to arrive at the answer. Instead, give them hints to assist them in coming to the answer. This way, they understand that the problem is not unsolvable. This way, they have a positive association with the subject.

Show Math in Daily Life

One issue with math is that children are unable to see how it applies to their life. The best way to show them is by showing them instances of math in their daily life. For instance, you can teach the concept of addition and subtraction using pocket money. Or you could teach them fractions by asking them to help you measure out ingredients for cooking or baking.

Another way to teach fractions is by cutting a fruit like an apple in half. And you can show them that two halves of an apple equal the one whole apple i.e. ½ + ½ = 1.

Other places where math is important are instances of time taken to reach somewhere, number of steps to climb to get home, and so on. With older children, math could be brought in in terms of savings, and bank accounts, and maybe even investments.

Learning Solutions from BYJU’S

BYJU’S The Learning App

BYJU’S created BYJU’S The Learning App specifically to make learning fun. Here’s what it offers:

• Captivating Video Lessons: Explained with visual aids and animations, our lessons bring concepts to life, making learning fun and effective.
• Personalized Learning Paths: Powered by AI, BYJU’S tailors lessons to your individual learning pace and style, ensuring you grasp concepts effectively.
• Practice Options: The interactive exercises and quizzes that are provided will help test understanding. It is also possible to get instant feedback to identify areas for improvement and solidify learning.
• Ability to Learn Anytime, Anywhere: Since the content on the app is always available, learning can be flexible and can happen at home or on the go.

BYJU’S Tuition Classes (Online)

BYJU’S offers exceptional tutoring options to meet your needs. What do the online tuitions offer?

• Interactive Learning: Facilities to engage directly with expert teachers, ask questions in real-time, and clarify doubts for deeper understanding.
• Expert Instruction: Direct benefits stemming from the knowledge and experience of qualified educators who deliver high-quality online classes.
• Structured Learning: Help in developing a disciplined study routine with a consistent class schedule that helps keep track of academic goals.

BYJU’S Tuition Centres (Hybrid):

Does your child want to learn through offline classes? No problem. Does your child want the flexibility to choose whether they want to learn offline or online? No problem. The hybrid learning options of the BYJU’S Tuition Centres are here to help. What do they offer?

• Personalized Attention: Smaller class sizes ensure students receive focused support from experienced teachers, both online or in-person.
• Collaborative Environment: Interaction with peers, participation in discussions, and engagement in hands-on activities to solidify learning.
• Holistic Development: Going beyond academics with activities that enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Conclusion

We’re not saying math will become interesting overnight. But we’re definitely saying that you can inculcate a love for math in your child. Just remember to be patient, teach with real life examples, and find new ways to introduce concepts that appeal to your child. And that’s all! Just watch them become math wizards in no time!