Add The Fun Back Into Math

Every child has a set of special, unique strengths. Some love the idea of an exciting new chemistry experiment, some can’t wait to get their hands on the next book in their favorite series, and some feel energized and challenged by a complicated word problem — however, everyone is different! If your child comes home frustrated by math, there are a few ways you can revive the subject to make it fun and interesting.Go On a Mock Spending SpreeSpend some time with your child looking through Amazon or her favorite catalog, and ask her to write down the things she would love to have. Afterward, have her add up the total cost. The challenge is for her to figure out which items she needs to eliminate to get the most items possible but keep her total cost below $100.Make Screen Time UsefulWhile we often encourage our children to make homework time screen-free, we can sneak in some learning and educational opportunities! There are tons of apps and games designed to help kids learn and practice math concepts in fun ways. A few are games like Prodigy, Mathville, and Dreambox.Get in the KitchenEvery child can be motivated by food — and you can easily tie together math and some yummy kitchen creations! Bake a pizza or apple pie together to teach them about fractions, or use a large bag of M&Ms or Skittles to bring multiplication to life. Back to BasicsLittle children naturally love puzzles, counting, and finding patterns! But it becomes challenging when that becomes labeled “math” and more complicated practices are thrown in; children may begin to lose confidence and interest as they find they can’t quickly catch on. By spending quality time with classics like the game of Memory or a new puzzle, children can work on their math skills and have a great time.Take it to the TeacherIf your child’s math homework also has you stumped, don’t forget about the most important resource your child has — the teacher! Encourage your child to ask for help from his or her teacher, and if you’re looking for great ideas to reinforce concepts at home and make things more engaging, don’t be afraid to ask your child’s teacher as well!Our blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about Orlando Catholic Schools, contact us at 407-246-4800.