How might I support my child in mathematics?
- Let your child know that all students can be successful in mathematics
- Encourage your child to think of math problems as puzzles or games.
- Don't underestimate your own mathematical capabilities.
- Don't say, "I was never good at math"
- Encourage your child to restate the problem in his or her own words.
- Discuss how you can use mathematics in your daily life.
How might I support my child with communicating mathematically?
- Encourage your child to explain their thinking or to "think out loud" when they work on a math problem.
- Listen to your child explain math in their own words and then paraphrase what they have said using mathematical words that they may be learning.
- Ask your child's teacher for a list of math words that might be challenging for students in your child's grade.
- Use a dictionary when helping your child with homework when you don't know the vocabulary your child is using.
How might I support my child with "mental mathematics?"
- Help your child do mental mathematics with small numbers. It is most important to praise children for being accurate with their answer.
- Ask often, "is your answer reasonable?"
- Allow your child to use strategies that make sense to them.
- Talk to your child about when you use estimation and when you work out the exact answer.
How might I support my child with manipulatives?
- Manipulatives at home can include buttons, macaroni, rocks, etc.
- When your child is working on math homework, ensure that materials are available for your child to use. Ask your child to show his thinking using manipulatives.
- Visit your child's classroom and have your child explain how they use material when working on math.
How might I support my child with personal strategies?
- Recognize that one method may make more sense than another for your child.
- Understand that you have had many years of practice with one way of doing addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.
- Encourage your child to try and solve the same problem in more than one way.
- Encourage your child to solve the problem using one strategy and check the solution using another strategy.
- Ask your child to explain their thinking and show you the steps they have taken to solve a problem.
Have a positive attitude towards math!
- Let your child know they can be successful in mathematics.
- Let your child know you see math as important.
- Be curious and excited about the math activities your child is involved in at school.
- Encourage your child to be persistent when the work becomes difficult.
- Remain patient and give praise when your child shows effort
- Avoid negative comments and criticism
- Don't underestimate you own math abilities
- Don't say, "I was never good at math."
Great math websites to play at home!
- Cool Math Games
- Math Dictionary for Kids
- PBS- Sid the Science Kid
- National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
- Khan Academy
Click the link below to view a PDF of math games to play with your children
You can also check out these math resources to help your child: