4 Ways to Help Your Child Improve Maths in Primary School

April 4, 2022
Blog posted April 4, 2022 by Megan Ward
Post last modified February 7, 2024

Did you know that many students find maths difficult because they don’t understand the basics of mathematics? 

Kids often spend more time trying to memorize than they do trying to understand the concept?

If you are struggling to teach your child maths, then you’re not alone. Many parents feel the same way. They’re constantly worried that their child isn’t understanding the basics of maths.

Maths is the subject many kids struggle with in primary school. It seems like it should be easy, right? But the truth is, the majority of children who go to primary school never actually master the basic principles of mathematics.

In this article, I’m going to show you 4 ways to help your child improve their maths in primary school.

1. Set your child's expectations and keep them motivated

mother teaching her child math using abacus

Children are often confused about the nature of mathematics. They may think that maths is a series of mental exercises where they work out sums and subtractions in their head. This may lead to them giving up and not persisting with the learning of maths.

In reality, maths is a subject that involves many skills such as counting, measuring, reasoning, problem-solving, and recognising patterns. Setting your child's expectations can help him improve their maths in primary school.

When setting your child's expectations, remember to explain to them that maths is not just about numbers, but also about how to solve problems.

It is important to remember that children learn in different ways. Some prefer to listen and absorb information; others prefer to work things out for themselves. 

While children may learn in a variety of ways, one thing is certain - they learn best when they are motivated and inspired.

Therefore, the key to setting your child's expectations is to ensure that they are motivated to learn maths. Children will only be motivated if they feel they are good at the subject, or if they are confident that they can succeed. 

Setting your child's expectations will help him achieve a higher standard in mathematics.

2. Create a good learning environment

A good learning environment can help your child learn better. Good learning environments are places where kids can learn and make mistakes safely. It is also a place where they feel comfortable and safe.

It is important that we provide kids with opportunities to learn things and not just keep them busy. In a good learning environment, mistakes are accepted as part of the process of learning.

It should be a place where your child is not afraid to ask questions. A place where they can learn from their peers and teachers. 

You can help your child improve their maths by ensuring a good learning environment at home or at a tutoring center near you.

Local maths tutoring centres

A math tutoring centre provides an environment where your child can practice their maths skills at their own pace and will allow them to focus on their studies.

One example is our maths tutoring centre in Geelong. Our tutors specialise in working with children from Prep to Year 10 to quickly improve their maths results.

If you know a good tutor in your area, you can ask them to make an appointment to work with your child. Alternatively, you can get in touch with local tutoring centres to find out which ones are nearby.

3. Get them involved in a variety of activities

Getting them involved in a variety of activities can help children improve their maths skills, as they will be exposed to different ways of solving problems. 

When children get involved in a variety of activities, it helps them understand math in a different way.

Activities such as cooking, gardening, art, music, sports, and science can all give children a real understanding of how numbers work. These activities can help children to think creatively about the way maths can be applied and learn in a more meaningful way.

Learning maths through cooking

child helping mother cook estimating and measuring ingredients

Cooking, for example, teaches children how to count and estimate. In addition, when a child helps in cooking, they learn the concept of measurement – that is, how much is enough. 

In fact, cooking is one of the best ways to teach children how to estimate and measure.

Learning maths with music

Music also teaches children how to count, understand pitch, rhythms, and patterns, and how to sequence their activities. 

This is why musical training has been proven to improve the ability to process numbers and solve arithmetic problems. The same is true for other forms of education, such as science.

Learning maths with sports

boy playing basketball with father learning how to score

Estimating time, distance, and speed can be learned through sports. It also teaches them how to use spatial thinking, teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. 

It helps them to learn the basic concepts of numbers, shapes, weight, and measurement, and how to follow a plan of action and achieve a goal.

Maths is not just about learning numbers and symbols; it also involves a lot of practical skills.

4. Make maths enjoyable

Making maths enjoyable can help children enjoy learning the subject and helps them learn faster. This will help children to remember what they have learned in class and also helps them to get better grades.

Maths can be a frustrating subject for children, and this frustration can lead to less enjoyment in their lessons. One way to alleviate this problem is to use creative approaches.

By creating a fun environment, children can learn better. For example, using a multi-sensory approach that uses physical materials, videos, workbooks, worksheets, and explicit instruction to teach math concepts is a proven way to help children enjoy maths. 

When students enjoy what they do, they are more likely to achieve better results and are more likely to want to continue to do it. So, it's important to make sure that they enjoy their lessons.

To help your child enjoy maths, you can:

  • Involve them in deciding what they want to learn about.
  • Encourage them to use their imagination.
  • Provide lots of examples.
  • Use pictures.
  • Show them that maths is about problem-solving and thinking creatively.
  • Explain to them that maths is about finding patterns and making predictions.
  • Give them practice tests to check that they understand what they have learned.
  • Provide them with opportunities to practice.
  • Ask them questions that will test their understanding.
  • Have them share their thoughts and experiences with you.
  • Show them that it's fun!

Final Thoughts

Maths is a difficult subject for many students. Setting realistic expectations, creating an engaging learning environment, and involving your children in a variety of activities will help them to learn better and enjoy their learning.

Don't risk your child's future, ensure their education is up to standard.

Book your Free Assessment, Learning Consultation, and 2 Weeks of Free Maths or English Tutoring today! ($248 value)

This offer is strictly limited to 5 people per week.

Call iCode School on 5260 1816 to get started.

Post Written by

Megan Ward has over 16 years experience in working directly with children and young people experiencing challenging behaviour. having worked exclusively with families, Australian agencies and with support networks to provide advice around emotional disturbances, guidance and leadership, her the main goal is the positive behaviour alteration, family happiness and harmony. Megan's qualifications include a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education and Fine Arts and a Masters in Special Education with a Major in Emotional and Behaviour Disturbances. Megan is the owner of a iCode School, specialising in NDIS tutoring, and support for children with learning disabilities.

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