Just uttering the word “Maths” to your little one can bring out the ‘puppy dog’ eyes, slouched shoulders and a big fat sigh that reads, “do I have to?”

For most kids, maths can be challenging and somewhat dull. They’d much rather be out playing with their friends than learning boring sums. But the great thing about teaching maths at home is that you can make it exciting for your little ones. You can show them that maths can be an interesting subject and turn it into a fun and creative activity that you can both enjoy together.

We’d love to offer you some quick and easy strategies to teach your little one so you can turn a potentially boring subject into an exciting one!

Strategies to teach your child Maths at home

Start with simple counting:

Numbers are, as you’d imagine, an important part of maths and represent the very beginning of your child’s learning. Teaching maths begins by helping your child to identify numbers. Begin by having your child memorise 1 to 10. You could choose various objects for them to count. Using toys can make this process more fun for your little one. Once they have learnt to count, you can teach them basic maths principles so they’ll be adding and subtracting in no time!

Use objects for counting:

You can use absolutely anything to teach your child to count. You could ask them what they would like to use, otherwise, a few examples include; pennies, socks, cars, fruit, trees, clouds, beads, or anything you might find lying around the house. Maths becomes a lot easier to teach your child when you have physical objects for them to count, subtract and multiply. Using a variety of objects is more beneficial as it helps expand your child’s thought process. For example, instead of giving them just apples to count, give them apples, bananas and oranges.

Play maths games that are fun:

There are loads of maths games in the market today that will help your kids to learn maths in a fun way. Some of these games include dice and introduce higher numbers. Many of these games are excellent for teaching your kids to add and subtract. A fun game to play with your little one is a math scavenger hunt. Write a few different numbers with chalk on the pavement outside, ask your child a maths question - e.g. “what’s 5 plus 5?” - and have them run to the correct number. Whatever maths game you choose, make sure it’s something your child finds enjoyable.

Bake cookies:

What child doesn’t love cookies? Cookies are an excellent resource for teaching your kids maths. Cookies are not only a great way to teach your child to count but they are also perfect for learning fractions. Teach your little one how to cut a cookie into halves, quarters and eighths using a plastic knife. You can also use a cookie to teach your child how to add and subtract a fraction. For example, show your child that 2 halves make a whole and that taking one quarter away from a half makes a quarter, and so on. You can also use raw cookie dough or playdough instead of baking cookies. But the great thing about using baked cookies is that your child can eat them afterwards!

Use traditional maths tools:

One of the best ways to teach maths to your child is to use traditional tools, some of which have been used for thousands of years - like an abacus! An abacus helps to teach children how to count, add and subtract, and is super reliable because you don’t have to worry about it breaking or running out of battery power. An abacus is very useful for teaching kids addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as problem-solving.

Flashcards:

Flashcards are especially good for children that learn more effectively by seeing the answer on a card. Other children may not appreciate this way of learning until they have practised counting physical objects. Try out different methods so you know what works for your child the best.

How to help your child's math's skills at home (Part 1)

Sometimes sums are more fun with mum or dad.