Dear Parents and Carers,

A good knowledge of maths and the ability to apply it is an essential part of our everyday lives. Understandably, some children have difficulty remembering the order of operations or simply to memorising their times tables.

But what exactly are the applications of mathematics in our lives?

Is teaching math to everyone really necessary?

Why not help your children to look at maths differently, starting by discussing the subject at home?

Sometimes all you need is a different approach to unlock a child’s potential at maths revision. Listed below are some of the ways in which parents can act as an educator and help their children with their maths at home.

Discuss Maths with your Child at Home
The problem with only learning maths at school is that children sometimes become too distant from the subject when they are elsewhere. This means that if the child encounters a problem in school math, they are less likely to mention it to their parents as the discussion would take place out of the school context. On the other hand, being at home could be a way of avoiding maths, especially if solving math problems and answering maths questions makes them anxious. By placing maths in a familiar context, you will familiarise yourself with the math concepts and increase your children’s confidence asking you questions.  All children are capable of learning math, so prepare to be surprised!

The best way to combat a fear is to acknowledge it, approach it and discuss it with those around you. The same goes for mathematics. Whether it’s fractions, decimals, the calculation of sums or graphing, just because you struggled with a topic as a child, it does not necessarily mean that your child will have the same difficulties. Talking about mathematics in contexts such as cooking, crafts, travelling, and playing with your children is the best way to make this subject area an active part of your children’s day-to-day lives.

For them, using maths will become just as normal as everything else. As long as you provide a reason for children to discuss maths, they will do so. The more you talk about math in a positive way around your children, the more likely they are to start taking a personal interest in it. Do not hesitate to ask them questions about maths, for example, ask them how to solve mathematical calculations while baking or on a walk.

Exercises like this will help develop their recall skills and put them at ease with maths, making for a smooth transition into technical learning in the future.

Learn Maths Through Playing Games
Whatever field of study your children choose to pursue, they will always learn better when they’re having fun than when they’re learning off by heart. So take advantage of this! Whether in the form of interactive math games online, playing board games, playing with tea sets or by playing with Lego, maths can nearly always be turned into a game for nearly any topic! For example, you could ask your children to measure the amount of pasta in a bowl or count the pieces while you cook. Lego may also be used to visualise operations such as addition and subtraction or multiplication and division. You will be pleasantly surprised to see how quickly kids learn when they’re enjoying themselves.

See Maths in Everyday Life
For many children, there is no real link between the content of their maths lessons and everyday life. However, there is an opportunity to demonstrate this link in your home, in your garden, or while doing the weekly shop. For instance, ask your children about counting the change in your purse or to calculate the total sum of your purchases as you make your way around the shop. If you enjoy cooking, why not give your child the role of sous-chef for the day and get them to help with the recipe? Measure the amounts of flour, sugar, count the eggs and estimate the cooking time, converting minutes into hours and using the clock to work out when your cake will be baked. This method of learning is far more fun than spending hours on math worksheets, homework or maths quiz questions.

See More than One Solution to a Maths Problem
Children need to learn that math is more than calculators and equals signs. There are always several ways to solve any maths problem and many maths tricks that will make your life easier. For example, for simple operations and estimation, why use a calculator when mental calculation can save you time? By showing them that there are several paths to the same answer, you will help kids develop critical thinking and logic skills as they learn to consider each approach. 

Below is the Mathematics learning model we work with at St Benedict’s.

Thank you for your ongoing care and partnership in your child’s learning.

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal