For many young children, math can seem intimidating and vast. Many children—and even adults—dread maths due to its complexity. But as a parent, teacher, or caregiver, it's crucial that we help young kids develop a strong foundation in mathematics.
Confidence is an integral part of any subject but is especially important when it comes to maths. A child's confidence in their ability to understand and solve math problems plays a major role in their academic performance.
How can we help build a child's confidence in maths? We can start by making the learning environment positive and supportive. Praise and encouragement can go a long way in helping a child feel comfortable and motivated to tackle a problem. Additionally, allowing a child to take their time to discover the solution to a problem can provide them the necessary tools for success.
We can also use the concrete-representational-abstract learning approach. This teaching method uses objects or visuals to represent mathematical principles, which helps children more easily comprehend the concept being taught. Hands-on activities and play-based learning can also be used to demonstrate more abstract ideas such as geometry or fractional relationships.
Actively involve your child in conversations, activities, and questions related to math whenever possible. Asking questions such as “how much does this cost?" or "what fraction of the pie is left?" can offer an opportunity for your child to engage with math in a way that feels fun and stimulating.
Confidence is an integral part of any subject but is especially important when it comes to maths. A child's confidence in their ability to understand and solve math problems plays a major role in their academic performance.
How can we help build a child's confidence in maths? We can start by making the learning environment positive and supportive. Praise and encouragement can go a long way in helping a child feel comfortable and motivated to tackle a problem. Additionally, allowing a child to take their time to discover the solution to a problem can provide them the necessary tools for success.
We can also use the concrete-representational-abstract learning approach. This teaching method uses objects or visuals to represent mathematical principles, which helps children more easily comprehend the concept being taught. Hands-on activities and play-based learning can also be used to demonstrate more abstract ideas such as geometry or fractional relationships.
Actively involve your child in conversations, activities, and questions related to math whenever possible. Asking questions such as “how much does this cost?" or "what fraction of the pie is left?" can offer an opportunity for your child to engage with math in a way that feels fun and stimulating.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that everyone learns differently. By understanding the ways in which our children learn best, we can provide them with the necessary tools and confidence to succeed in mathematics.
Author : Cindy Ettienne-Murphy
Author : Cindy Ettienne-Murphy