Math for Kids: 10 Tips for Making Learning Fun

Introduction

Human reasoning relies heavily on mathematics since the latter is the basis of problem-solving. Math is a great subject to learn for cultivating mental discipline and fostering logical thinking in kids. Unfortunately, many kids develop math anxiety and get frightened of solving math problems.

Do you have a child or student who has difficulty keeping up with math and displays apparent disinterest whenever it is math time? Today, you will learn how to make math for kids more exciting. Here are some tips for fun learning that can trigger your youngster’s interest in math.

1. Use visual aids and picture books

Children are always attracted to pictures and drawings with beautiful colors. Some pupils like to create graphic representations of terminology and ideas. So, using charts, picture books, and other visual aids will assist students in understanding new concepts. Students who prefer reading to doing number work would benefit significantly from using picture books. You could also get printable worksheets as reference points while a child works.

2. Encourage kids to see math everywhere

Simple everyday activities can help your child understand math easier. Make it a point to challenge your youngster to tackle arithmetic problems outside school. Encourage kids to figure out the cost of the grocery list and perform other fun activities related to math. For example, when walking to a neighbors’ house, discuss how long it will take to get to the destination.

3. Try out some math games at home

Math needs to be exciting, especially for kids, which explains why children enjoy math-based games like hopscotch, monopoly, and bingo. Such games help pupils develop a positive attitude toward arithmetic early in life. So, when you introduce games into the mix, kids will look forward to playing and — by extension — learning math.

4. Teach math in byte-sized chunks

It would be unwise to speed through math concepts when teaching children as such approach can be overwhelming even for adults. The teaching process will be more effective if you divide huge goals into digestible bits. You can even demonstrate a kid’s progress and inspire them; thus, they can see how far they’ve come and what they have mastered.

Be patient and offer concepts one after the other. The use of math worksheets can help you achieve the goals faster as the materials address elementary aspects of math before moving to more complex ones.

5. Define the needs of children

Working with kids may be draining, but finding a good middle ground will be fruitful. People learn differently, and some students do not feel comfortable raising their hands to ask questions when confused.

You need to know your pupils well enough to identify those who need additional help with understanding the material or following a curriculum. Don’t forget to include talks, work in small groups, worksheets, flashcards, and hands-on activities when teaching math.

6. Show enthusiasm

Infuse math with a healthy dose of optimism and enthusiasm. Nobody will enjoy learning with a grumpy teacher, so you need to keep your spirits up. Try to be enthusiastic about math since your mood can be infectious.

A teacher’s enthusiasm can pique the interest of their pupils, igniting the desire to learn. Thus, you can promote the improvement of a teacher’s rating, favorable student attitudes, and more effective approaches toward learning.

7. Personalize math lessons

Make learning math a personalized process. For example, you could have students figure out how much money they need to save each week to buy the latest toy every kid wants. You could also include your students’ names in word problems to spice things up.

Don’t forget about incorporating fun into classes. Kids will be more enthusiastic about solving word problems than arithmetic. So, ask math questions like, “Spiderman went shopping and bought groceries worth $56; If he gave the shopkeeper $100, how much would he have left,” instead of, “If $100 – $56 = x, find x.”

8. Lead by example

Showing your kid that you are competent at ordinary chores such as calculating the cost of a grocery purchase or telling time can help them develop a positive attitude toward math. Also, stress the relevance of mathematics in many fields, such as engineering, physics, accounting, architecture, carpentry, fashion design, etc.  Tiny changes in the way you communicate about arithmetic may significantly impact a child’s enthusiasm for the subject.

9. Use a math storybook

Children like hearing and telling tales, so encourage them to read math storybooks. The use of storybooks exposes students to arithmetic vocabulary and visual representations. A storybook can make studying math for kids enjoyable, so why not give it a shot?

While reading books aloud, add a bit of drama and change your voice pitch and tone to fit the narrative. That way, kids will invest more in the storytelling time.

10. Encourage group studies and collaborations

Collaborative learning requires students to work in groups of two or more to solve a problem. Students learn through collaborating on problem-solving techniques, developing and experimenting with new mathematical concepts, and expressing what they have learned in mathematical terms. Math can be fun when kids do it in groups; besides, they benefit from the experience.

Conclusion

Learning math can be an enjoyable experience for kids if tutors only know the best ways to approach the process. Math will affect your kid’s present and will likely play a role in their future careers. Following the tips mentioned earlier in this article, you can make learning math fun for kids while giving them a solid foundation.