10 Tricks to Make Kids Fall in Love with Numbers
Math can be a daunting and overwhelming concept for many kids. It's normal for them to feel intimidated by the complexity of math problems, especially when they're increasingly more challenging year after year. However, young kids must learn to enjoy math and develop a positive relationship with it. The skills learners gain in math are vital in the professional world--from engineering, science, and technology to basic economics. Learning to think critically, deeply understand problem-solving, and bolster analytical thinking can give kids the confidence they need to tackle any math problem.
It's true that math can be a challenging subject for many kids, but it doesn't have to be! As parents, we can make learning math more engaging and fun with a few tricks up our sleeves. Here are ten tricks to make math enjoyable and help your child fall in love with numbers.
Play number games that encourage problem-solving skills
Playing number games with your kids is an excellent way to engage them in math! These activities help build strong problem-solving abilities and cultivate their understanding of basic mathematical skills. These games are fun and provide a hands-on approach to math that makes the subject more enjoyable for young learners.
It's important to remember that kids learn best when having fun. So, pick games your child will enjoy, like matching numbers with pictures or counting up objects. As you play together, take the opportunity to explain the concepts and how it applies in real life, as it will surely bring mathematics alive!
Incorporate math into everyday activities
The best way to make kids love math is by introducing concepts through daily tasks! Find ways to make your child's favorite chores and hobbies math-related. For example, when cooking dinner, ask them to help you measure ingredients using measuring cups and spoons. When playing a game of catch, make it a counting game where they have to keep track of the number of throws or catches. While grocery shopping encourages them count items such as fruits and vegetables.
These small challenges are fun and make learning mathematics seem less chore. These activities also make it easier for children to remember certain concepts since they can apply them in their daily lives.
Make math fun with games and apps
Another great way to make math more enjoyable for kids is by playing interactive online games or downloading educational apps on their tablet or smartphone. With the abundance of technology available today, there are tons of resources created specifically for learning mathematics in a fun and engaging manner.
These activities make complex topics (like multiplication and division) much more manageable. They use visuals that make it easier to comprehend certain concepts. These tools have been designed so children can practice at their own pace, making them feel more confident in tackling any mathematical challenge!
Use real-world examples to make math relatable
Making math relevant and applicable to everyday life is one of the best ways to make kids fall in love with numbers. Use scenarios familiar to your child, like budgeting for a family vacation or calculating the distance from home to school. This will make it easier for them to remember certain formulas or equations since they can think about tangible objects and events when trying to solve a problem.
Encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking
The beauty of mathematics lies in its ability to make connections between different concepts and encourage creative thinking. So make sure to challenge your child by asking them open-ended questions that require critical analysis and innovative solutions.
This will make them think outside the box and make mathematics an exciting subject to learn. Plus, it will foster their problem-solving abilities and make fear of math a thing of the past!
Set up a scavenger hunt around your house
Make math more fun and engaging by setting up a scavenger hunt around your house! This interactive game will make your child practice their mathematical skills and make learning an enjoyable activity.
Ask them to search for certain objects (based on number, shape or size) in different parts of your home. This way they can connect the objects they find and the numbers associated with them. The reward at the end of the hunt is sure to make them fall in love with numbers!
Give rewards for completing math challenges
Rewarding children for their achievements is another excellent way to make them passionate about mathematics. You can give incentives when they complete particularly difficult tasks or simply make a big deal out of any accomplishment they make.
This will make them feel good about their progress and make math an exciting challenge instead of a chore. Plus, it might make them strive to achieve greater things in this field!
Take a break when needed
It's important to understand that, like with any other activity, children need breaks when learning mathematics. This way, they can come back feeling refreshed and energized. This will make understanding complex concepts much easier for them.
So make sure you use these breaks by taking short walks or playing some fun games so your child can return to their studies with a new perspective!
Use visual aids and real-life objects to explain concepts
Using visuals and real-life objects to explain mathematics is a great way to make math more enjoyable for kids. Take advantage of charts, diagrams, and models that make some difficult mathematical concepts easier to understand.
These visual aids make certain ideas much clearer than words alone and make understanding equations or formulas far less daunting.
Celebrate accomplishments with your child
When your child successfully learns a complex concept, make sure you celebrate their success! This will make them feel proud of their achievements. It can also make learning mathematics an exciting journey rather than a challenge. Plus, it's also important for children to be reminded about all the efforts they put into mastering a particular topic so that they can look back and appreciate their progress.
Making kids fall in love with numbers doesn't have to be a hard task. With these 10 tricks, you can make math an enjoyable activity that your child will look forward to every day!
Our numeracy program at Mrs. Myers' Learning Lab focuses on mathematical concepts along with student interaction through problem-solving tasks. Students in our math program get the chance to use modern technology by writing and illustrating their own problem-solving book in our patent-pending build-a-book app which we then print out and give to our students to keep. Visit us to learn more!
