A lot of moms and dads all over the globe have their kids struggling with math home assignments. The very moment they decide to help the little one, they start appreciating school teachers, who spend every single day trying to teach their kids. If the next math assignment seems to be too challenging – you’re not alone! Keep in mind that loads of parents have the same trouble.
However, the good news is that with proper tips and resources, you can actually help your child approach math assignments and make progress in the field. But before we check some of the suggestions for dealing with math assignments, let us find out more about the most typical complaints among the little ones who hate math and understand why exactly they dislike the discipline so much.
So, one of the most common complaints that kids have about math is that the subject is too difficult. At the same time, most children say that they are not clever enough to cope with the tasks they get in class. As a rule, parents remark that the reasons why their kids fail to accomplish math vary from kid to kid. We have narrowed the range of reasons why kids hate math and outlined three main issues:
- Lack of knowledge of the basics. If a kid falls behind at the beginning of the path, he or she will find it difficult to move on to more advanced concepts. In other words, it is highly important to have a solid math foundation to handle issues at the levels that go next.
- Math anxiety is one of the hardships that not only kids but also adults face from time to time. Some moms and dads feel as if their kids are the only ones having hard times with math. However, both adults and children tend to have a strong feeling of anxiety caused by manipulations of numbers to solve math problems.
- Dyscalculia. A lot of various math learning disabilities exist today, and dyscalculia is one of them. Kids with dyscalculia find it hard to keep math facts in mind. They struggle every time when it comes to working memory, and don’t know when or how to apply their math skills, even though they understand the logic behind this or that math issue.
As a parent, you definitely want your child to be successful in his or her studies. It is important to keep in mind, however, that you have to know the reasons behind your child’s falling behind in math. Once you identify them, you can proceed to the next step that includes helping your kid transform math into the discipline of great interest.
#1 Listen to Your Child
It is important to exert every effort in order to hear what the little one is trying to say. When your kid is looking for some math solutions, make sure they do think out loud. The point here is that more often than not, your kid might be able to work out math problems on her own. There’s no need to provide a ready-for-use explanation straight away.
#2 Try Different Approaches
For many kids, all it takes is a simple change in methods of learning and studying. If there is only a pen and a piece of paper, your kid is not going to love math. This is when parents have to get creative! Next time your kid comes up saying, “How to do my math homework?” consider some game-based options. Creative puzzles, books, and apps might help.
#3 Let Them Do the Job
Many moms and dads believe that if they solve their kids’ math problems, they will do them a real favor. But the truth is that it doesn’t work that way, especially when it comes to math. It is important to let your child know that you’re always there for them, but instead of helping them to deal with certain math issues, ensure to help them identify and fix their mistakes on their own. What you can do here is to provide them with various strategies on how to handle this or that problem rather than doing the job for them.
#4 Find Help Online
Many parents are worried that they won’t be able to understand the materials their kids are trying to learn. If that’s your case, ensure to check their textbooks, books, and go to online sources. In case the publisher offers additional resources, look through them. If nothing works, start an online chat group with the other parents to discuss all of your challenges that you definitely have in common.
#5 Provide Your Kid with the Freedom of Action
You have to let your kid create a special routine, which means he or she will decide when, how, and where it will be appropriate to accomplish math assignments. Make sure to ask your son or daughter if they have any ideas for making the process more enjoyable and manageable. Perhaps, they prefer having a quick snack at first. Or, maybe, your kid would love to spend some time with your dog in a garden before the math session. Help them decide on the most suitable routine, and make certain to be nearby to provide any necessary support.
#6 Keep All Important Formulas at Hand
No doubt, your kid has to deal with a number of tables and formulas when it comes to math homework. Make sure to resize them to have the wallet size cards. Let your child know that she can use it when there’s no chance to use a calculator. Ensure your little student keeps this small set of cards at hand. Thus, she will always be able to get direct access to important facts and figures.
#7 Have Regular Breaks
When working on math home assignments, it is important that you watch your kid for signs of fatigue or frustration. Make sure to let him have a short break if they fail to focus on the process. Thus, you will be able to avoid burnout.
#8 Draw Pictures and Visualize
This method is especially good when your kid deals with geometry home assignments. If you make sure to draw a simple sketch that shows what exactly is going on, your little student will understand the problem. What is more, it will be easier for him to come up with the right solution once there will be a clear illustration.
#9 Help Them to Write Math Numbers Neatly
It is a well-known fact that a lot of mistakes in the field of math are related to messy writing of numbers. It is important to do your best in order to boost your kid’s number-writing skills. You can do that by having your child check the numbers that you have written and write to them as well.
#10 Help Your Child to Take Notes
Make sure that your kid has a daily planner and encourage her to take notes regularly. Your child should put down math home assignments every day. As a result, the little student will never forget the home tasks due tomorrow. Also, it is highly important to encourage your kid to take notes in school. Without a doubt, your child might think that she remembers it all, but chances are she is going to forget it in a flash. When your kid comes back from school, ensure to ask her what was it that she learned during the day, and encourage her to check her math notes. Thus, children have an opportunity to not only train their number-writing skills but also to keep all important information in mind.
#11 “Math Kids” Don’t Exist
Even though a lot of people here and there talk about the so-called “math people,” the reality is that no one is born that way! Every person has the same set of skills to master math. According to the most recent research, what actually separates all people is not giving up when the challenges come. In other words, practice makes perfect.
Math home assignments are about more than simply finding the correct solutions. Instead, it includes the range of various learning processes and the ability to apply your skills to produce the right answers. For that reason, parents have to remember that every kid is different and prefers different learning methods. Just because your oldest daughter learned algebra formula one way doesn’t mean your youngest kid is going to do it the same way. Just make sure to listen to your kid in order to turn math homework into a positive experience. Keep calm and math on!
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