Top Tips for Parents
Teachers Karen and Amanda, provide some useful tips and resources for helping your children with numbers and how to make Maths fun!
Numbers Are Everywhere: Maths for Parents and Families (30 minutes)
This episode focuses on support for parents and families in relation to Maths and numbers, specifically, helping children with their Maths homework, introducing early years children to numbers, examples of courses available to support you, learner success stories and more!
Top Tips
- Use basic numbers in everyday life from a young age and look for moments that you can apply or refer to numbers. For example, counting songs, counting up and down steps, counting the number of a certain colour or car while out walking, spotting odd/even door numbers.
- Use counting objects as much as possible with your child (one to one correspondence), such as asking them to estimate numbers and make an educated guess.
- Simple tasks like asking children to help you set the table develops their numeracy skills and confidence.
- Cooking is a great way to incorporate maths learning. For example, weighing and measuring ingredients, following recipes, budgeting and costing out recipes.
Helping with Maths Homework
Supporting children with their homework is fundamental for a child’s learning. It highlights the importance of their education and makes time to connect and interact as a parent. It is not about doing the homework for them – but providing encouragement and support along the way. Find a balance.
Have a Homework Routine
Having a consistent and set routine that will allow your child to prioritise their homework and for it to become part of their daily routine.
Match Your Child's Learning Style
Make sure you are aware of how your child typically learns and encourage this for their development. For example, if they are a visual learner, provide them with pictures or materials that they can use and physically work with (such as building blocks to learn how to add and subtract).
Plan Rewards / Fun Activities
Plan fun activities or rewards for doing well with homework if it’s something they typically struggle with. This will give your child a sense of accomplishment and is something to look forward to. It does not need to be costly. It could be something as simple as playing fun games, going for a walk or a small treat.
Useful books and reading
- What the Ladybird Heard – by Julia Donaldson
- Ten Little Dinosaurs – by Mike Brownlow
- The Three Billy Goats Gruff – by Mara Alperin
- Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes – by Mem Fox
- On the Launch Pad – by Michael Dahl
- Simon Sock – by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
- What’s the Time Mr Wolf? – by Debi Gliori
- Maisy Goes Shopping – by Lucy Cousins
