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Math is everywhere. Some people think math doesn’t matter. But they’re wrong. You just have to know where to look! There are so many examples of everyday math in our lives that it may be hard to believe. But some kids grow up thinking they will never use math. How do you motivate a child to appreciate math?
I’m Georgia school assembly presenter Ken Scott. Each year, I visit hundreds of schools in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. I deliver fun and exciting assemblies based on topics kids study in school each day. This article reveals five simple ways to get your child excited about math.
The older children get, the less often they may turn to you for help. So, you’ll need to be watching to see if your child is struggling with math. Here are just a few warning signs:
Once you have pinpointed the problem, there are things you can do to help your child. And one of the biggest is making math fun for them. If they enjoy something, they’ll feel more motivated to work on it.
The easiest way to get your child interested in math is to show it’s all around them. From measuring ingredients for recipes to numbers in sports, math is everywhere. Kids learn math in school but often have a hard time translating what they learn in school to the real world.
Look at your child’s interests. See if there are ways to tie math into their interests. If your child likes sports, point out all the math in what the players do. You’ll need to go beyond just the score and point out things your child may not have thought of. Think of the trajectory of a pop fly ball in baseball. Or how teammates may position themselves for efficient passing in basketball.
Children model the behavior of trusted adults in their lives. If you do not show an interest in math yourself, it’s harder to get your child interested in the subject. And it’s going to be even tougher if you talk about how you hated math as a child, too. Keep that bit of information to yourself.
Instead, take an interest in math yourself. Give yourself something to talk about with your child when the topic of math comes up. Talk to your child about math when you estimate the grocery budget or even work on your taxes. The idea is to show your own interest and how you use math in your daily life too.
Want to “walk the walk?” Learn your child’s math curriculum. One reason why some kids dislike math? They see their parents struggle too when they ask for help. Think of the message your child learns. If they come to you for help with math, and you can’t help them, then what? Your child ends up feeling lost and desperate.
Don’t have time to learn what your child is learning? At least become familiar with what they need to learn in their grade. If you know what your child needs to learn, you may even be able to incorporate it in math activities at home.
Reading about a subject is one way to increase your understanding of it. Help your child find math books they may enjoy. And beyond just math, reading has other massive benefits. Reading exercises your brain and helps your memory.
One of the biggest obstacles for children with math is the lack of a foundation. Put another way, your child may not understand what they were supposed to learn in previous grades. And without that fundamental understanding of math, adding new complexity only causes them more stress.
Help your child become familiar with basic math concepts. And prevent them from backsliding or forgetting by having daily practice sessions. Consider math a skill. And like any skill, increased practice leads to an increase in comprehension.
Want to get your child’s entire school fired up about math? My amazing “Superhero Math” school assembly has captivated schools in GA, TN, FL, and AL for years. It’s an exciting mix of magic, join-in fun, math games, and more. Contact me today for more information.