How can I help my child with maths?

1
How can I help my child with maths?
Why does my child find maths so hard?   For many
children at different ages, maths can be hugely
difficult, creating anxiety and distress.   In
todays article, we explore why that is and what
parents can do to help.
2
How children learn maths
3
Maths is a very abstract subject. Not all
students can jump to understanding maths in the
abstract form straight away. In early primary
school, students are afforded the option of using
equipment and visual supports. A number line or
counters for example, can be very helpful. For a
child that finds remembering times tables
difficult, a times table square is a real help.
Even at secondary school, visuals and reminders
can be crucial in helping students to be
successful.   The problem is, for some
students, that maths jumps from the concrete
form (real life objects/equipment) or visual
form (pictures/number lines/visuals) to the
abstract form (numbers and equations) too
quickly, making a deep understanding of
mathematics hard to grasp.   In addition to
this, I have always thought of students learning
maths as kangaroos or caterpillars. Kangaroos,
get numbers straight away and bounce to the
answers easily. Caterpillars, take longer, having
to revisit, practice, discuss and consolidate
their learning before it is deeply understood.
All get to the same end point and have the same
capacity for understanding- the issue here is
time and pace.
4
Maths in the classroom
5
Caterpillar learners struggle in the classroom.
The speed of lessons in the abstract form can
whizz past like a high-speed train. In maths
lessons at school, if students need more time on
one key aspect and then lesson moves on students
can become entirely lost and it is not easy to
find a way in/back.   Fear, shame and anxiety
begin to present themselves which can spiral if
not dealt with quickly and carefully.   Maths
anxiety   This is when maths anxiety starts.
  You may have heard your child say I cant do
maths or I hate maths or even maths is
boring. When you hear this, know that your child
may be having trouble and youll need to
intervene before their confidence plummets and
they begin to think they are just no good at
maths.
6
How can I help my child with maths?

• The first thing to do, is talk to your childs
  maths teacher. All teachers will have individual
  targets for students. Then youll know how you
  can help and which direction to take.

7
Practice

• Practice every day. Often, for primary aged
  children, there may be shaky foundations in
  maths they may not be able to quickly recall
  addition/subtraction or multiplication/ division
  facts. Knowing these facts by heart can
  accelerate progress. 10 minutes of every day
  practice is recommended.

8
Give positive messages

• Its easy for parents to say their children I
  was never any good at maths either. This is
  largely unhelpful, however, messages such as I
  know you can do it or, some people just take a
  bit more practice are much more affirming and
  hopeful.

9
Explain

• Talk to your children about how maths relates to
  real life. For example, learning about 3D shape
  can connect to shipping, moving house or planning
  big events. Learning about percentages can
  connect to shopping (discounts and sales) or
  interest earned etc. Students make deeper
  connections with maths if they understand the
  relevance to the world around them.

10
Make it fun
11
Maths is everywhere and bringing maths into
home-life makes it fun and everyday rather than
something to be scared of or avoid. For primary
students, we love White Rose maths suggestions of
maths in the home.   Playing family card games,
dice games and board games really help early
maths and we also like Common Sense Medias list
of apps and websites to make maths interesting
and engaging for solo activities.   Khan
academy for older primary/ early secondary
students is good as it has visual representations
and excellent explanations most maths topics. You
can create a free account and have a great deal
of explanatory videos and practice questions
available to you.
12
Maths for secondary school and GCSE/AS/A-level
Two really great resources are   1. Maths
Genie   and for outstanding explanations with
clear visual representations, we like   2.
The Organic Chemistry Tutor You Tube Channel.
13
Get a maths tutor
14
The benefits of a private maths tutor are
numerous. For a student struggling with maths,
the ability to target problem areas and to learn
at the students pace are, without question,
highly beneficial. A maths teacher can also
answer questions that may not get asked in class
due to anxiety and social embarrassment. Maths
tutors that Elite Tutors Sussex introduce you to
are patient, kind, knowledgeable and incredibly
helpful.   Theres no doubt that employing
the services of a qualified maths teacher or
experienced maths tutor Hove can mean progress is
made in a faster time, anxiety is reduced, and
confidence is restored. Once students realize
they CAN do maths, their confidence grows and
their mathematical ability rapidly improves,
making future maths easier and less fuelled with
anxiety.   If you are considering a maths
tutor brighton, then talk to us. We are friendly,
approachable and will be able to help your child
achieve what they are capable of. Our lessons are
tailored to suit, personalized to engage and will
ensure that your child maths confidence is
restored in the quickest time.   We currently
have maths GCSE packages for Year 10 and 11
available and we offer a free consultation to
discuss exactly what your child needs.
15
Thank you - For more information Please visit
on - https//elitetutorssussex.com For contact
us- 447387954693