Note to parents

Ever faced problems when teaching your child math? Ever experienced explaining the problem over and over, yet they still don’t understand? Don’t worry! Here are some tips to help you…

For one to be an effective teacher in teaching mathematics, he or she needs to have knowledge of mathematics and understanding of the way your child learns mathematics.

The ways of teaching mathematics have been changing over the decades to provide the best education for the children. Teachers now seldom use the approach of memorizing, drilling and copying as these do not prepare children for the real act of doing mathematics. On the other hand, teachers have to think and use different medium and techniques to teach children mathematics. For instance, relating the problems to their daily lives or allowing them to have concrete materials to work with or real life experiences.

In order to allow children to develop mathematical understanding, it is important to create an environment that offers children opportunities to learn. For instance, allow them to explore the sums first rather than to tell them the answers straight and allow them to ask questions instead of asking them to just listen. We could also use technologies that they are familiar with like computers and smart phones to enhance their understanding. For example, showing them a video on the computer that teaches fractions or having educational games on phones that they can play with and learn at the same time.

There is a common core standard that guides teachers on what to teach for mathematics for different age group. The concepts that children learn get more complex as they grow older and it is important for children to have a good foundation before proceeding to more complex stuff. Therefore, we as teachers and parents cannot expect the children to know how to solve the complex sums without them learning the basics. 

Reference 
Van de Walle, J. A., Karp, K. S., & Bay-Williams, J. M. (2014). Elementary and middle school mathematics: Teaching developmentally (8th ed.). USA: Pearson Education Limited.