There was a time when the United States of America had some of the highest math scores in the world for students in grades K through 12. A lot has changed since those days, and to help kids get back on the path of being good students of math, parents have an important role to play. Parents can help develop many of the foundational skills needed for children to be successful in math when they attend school. Parents can do things that support schools, and hopefully schools will do the rest.
To develop a student with good math skills, parents must play a key role in the learning process. In addition to parents, teachers and other family members are very important to a child’s mathematical development. Elementary teachers and parents play the most important role in a child’s mathematical development, especially from kindergarten through fourth grade. Time spent in school learning math or not learning math can never be replaced. Parents should make sure the elementary math teacher is knowledgeable and a good teacher. Anything less could cause the children to suffer a tremendous loss. The teacher parents should trust to teach their children math is a person who will challenge their children no matter their age. In addition to challenges, the teacher should encourage the children to work hard. Children need to know that their teacher cares about them and is not just trying to give them a lot of hard work. This teacher should believe in giving homework every night. Homework reinforces what was taught and learned in class and gives parents and teacher a chance to see if the child understands that information.
I have observed teachers who really challenge their students to achieve higher order thinking. These teachers take their students as early as second grade and teach them to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using only their bran. We call this mental calculation. When I observed a second grade class in which its students were mentally answering math questions, I put my own son in that class. Shortly after enrolling, he too learned to do mental math. From that moment on, math was my son’s best subject. Teachers can really make a difference and parents can help affect change.
The role of parents in their child’s mathematical development is very important and should start as young as possible. Teaching young children how to mentally count, add and subtract numbers without pencil or paper can stimulate the brain to think mathematically. Parents can begin the process by teaching children to count from one to one hundred. Teaching children how to solve math problems mentally should also be part of this process. They can start by asking simple math questions and continue with more difficult questions as the child gets older. Parents should continually ask children questions about math calculations and give positive feedback when they answer. Children love to receive positive feedback and that encourages continued growth.
In addition to mental math activities, children should be given grade-level math workbooks to strengthen their math skills. Parents should have these books and other content-themed books at home for practice and extra homework. These can be purchased at bookstores, teacher supply stores, and multipurpose department stores where school or office supplies are sold. As children become more confident in their math skills, give them worksheets one grade level above their current grade. Help them if needed, but when students are successful in higher level workbooks; your confidence will really improve. The seed will soon be planted and parents will be able to watch it grow.
A parent should know what level of math and any other subjects, for that matter, their child is performing in each school year. When children enter kindergarten and the school recommends that children know the alphabet and know how to count to twenty or any number, it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that the child is prepared before enrolling in school. Also, when a child is in second or third grade and can’t add simple two-digit numbers, it’s up to parents to make sure their child gets the extra help needed to be successful. Parents cannot wait at school every time their child has an academic deficiency. Part of being a good parent is making sure your child is performing at the correct grade level throughout their academic career.
Another strategy is to allow your child to spend some time on a computer playing math games. The computer can be a wonderful resource that supports math skills and other subject areas. There is software available that will measure a child’s level of math ability. Some of the software is developed in game format. Children will think they are playing a game, but they are actually learning math. Technology can be great, but I must warn parents not to let children spend too much time on the computer unattended.
Another recommendation for parents is not to allow children to use calculators at a young age. Children first need to develop their brains to be able to do math on their own. Constant use of calculators at a young age can stunt children’s mathematical growth. If children develop math skills by mentally thinking about the answer to simple problems, they will be better prepared for everyday life, such as grocery shopping, balancing a checkbook, to name a few. For example, all children should learn multiplication tables by the third grade. They should be able to repeat them, verbally, without using a calculator. Children in elementary school who rely on the calculator for answers are creating math deficiencies, which could have a negative impact on their math development.
In addition to good teachers and involved parents, children should be involved in extracurricular activities that support math. In the state of Michigan, students can join a club at their school that plays a game called Academic Games. This form of game is a challenge for children. It helps them develop their academic skills as well as their math skills. Children can start playing these games as early as the second grade. This form of play will teach children how to play the game of Equations, a form of Algebra, by the age of seven. These skills are called higher order thinking skills. Children also compete at the local, state, and national levels. Experience is invaluable. There are also other math games and clubs that kids can join that help build skills and are fun. Parents should contact their local school district or state office of Gifted and Talented Programs for this information.
Children can take classes from various organizations that will support their mathematical development. These organizations may offer classes in the summer or on weekends. Some of the classes may teach children how to build robots, toy cars, toy planes, etc. These classes can be in the area of ​​engineering, computer science, or some other technical field. Classes may be taught at various colleges or universities in the local area. This is a community outreach for colleges and universities, but children will develop social and academic skills that will carry over into their classroom and into adulthood.
When it comes to developing good math students, all avenues should be tried. Parents can make extra progress by allowing children to visit workplaces that use a lot of math. Children should be exposed to as many races as possible. Careers in math and even science should be on your list of considerations. Parents should let children know which careers require them to have good math skills.
Parents who are positively involved with their children and want what is best for them will ensure that their children maintain their math skills and succeed in school. The strategies used in this article are a sample of the many ways parents can ensure that their children develop strong math skills. The number one way to help a child develop good math skills is to have their parents positively and actively participate in their educational journey.