Cultivating your children’s arithmetic skills

Most university degrees or tertiary education institutions require learners to excel in mathematics in order to qualify for various career streams such as medicine, engineering, computer sciences, and airline pilot training.

Previously, some parents and teachers have believed that some children are just more inept at math than others. However, recent studies have shown that the way a child thinks about a subject is what determines how well they will do in it.

According to a research of primary school children by Stanford University School of Medicine, it was discovered that a positive attitude about mathematics vitally improve a child’s ability to challenge calculation problems as it permits the memory centre of their brain to operate exceptionally well. An additional study has also been done to prove that parents play an important role in their kids’ math education.

Head of schools at Future Nation Schools Mampho Langa gathered a number of ways through which parents and caregivers can develop a love for math in their children and shape the significant foundation for their future mathematics skills to be built upon:

•  Parents should often buy math and Stem educational toys to assist the children to be comfortable with mathematics and also train them in order to improve their skills in a fun way such as counting, learning different shapes and colours.
• Provide them with episodes, YouTube videos and games of their favourite programmes that have math inspired songs, activities and stories.
• Instal educational apps such as Microsoft Math and Minecraft on their smart mobile devices to boost the children’s mathematical skill set.
• Playing old school card games such as Uno or Maths 24 as a family to assist them to improve their counting and mathematics skills.

Making use of these tips will contribute to building a love for math and shape the foundation of their future mathematics skills as early as possible. It will also guide them toward better academic achievement and give them a chance to study a greater range of subjects in the future.

Do you have any tips for children on learning mathematics? You can leave a comment on our Facebook page.

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