How can I help my kids with maths?

 
 

How can I help my kids with their maths?

At Tutor My Kids we regularly get asked by parents looking for home tuition in Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket how they can help their children with their maths.
 

Times Tables are key…

Generally if children know their multiplication tables, this helps enormously because they are at the root of much of the numeracy that children do. 
 
Often kids can count in 2s, 5s etc. 2, 4, 6, 8…but are unable to say that 2×7=14. It’s therefore essential that children can recall their multiplication facts spontaneously. At home you can help by helping your children to practice them by simple tests, games and regular recall.

Work them into word problems for your kids…

Helping your children to use their maths facts in real life situations is invaluable in helping to develop their mathematical reasoning and mental maths skills.
 
Linking problems to the related division facts (If we how 7×6=42, then we know that 42/7 =6) is also essential to developing the core skills of maths. e.g. I’ve got 55g of spaghetti left in the packet. I need 20g per person. Have I enough for 4 people?

Best of all get your kids to solve real problems…

This is what I call ‘kitchen table maths’
 
Please see our other blogs and follow our Facebook page for further tips and advice.  If you feel your child needs some additional assistance, please get in touch with Rachel to discuss private tuition with Tutor My Kids.  Tel: 01223 858421 or Email: hello@tutormykids.co.uk.     
 
 
 
 

 

Why do children find maths so hard?

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Why do kids find learning maths so hard?

This is a question that is often asked by parents who are seeking help for their children when they approach Tutor My Kids for home tuition in Cambridge, Ely or Newmarket areas.

Learning maths is like building a wall.

Strong foundations are essential to ensure learning has a secure base to build upon. Children often struggle with maths because the foundations are not in place. This might be because key topics were covered when they were ill or because they simply didn’t ‘get it’ first time around. 

e.g Your child needs to understand that 2 x 7 really means repeatedly add 2, seven times 2+2+2+2+2+2+2. Without this basic knowledge they can struggle with times tables, working out areas and other more complex maths.

1-2-1 home tutoring is perfect for situations like this because it can very quickly address specific gaps in knowledge which can then put your child back on track for learning maths well and enjoying it again. 12 sessions with a Tutor My Kids home tutor in Cambridge, Ely or Newmarket can often be all that’s needed for your child to regain their maths confidence.

How can I help at home?

I’m a great fan of ‘kitchen table maths’. Simple maths games and puzzles to stretch your children when they’re least expecting it. 

e.g. We were planning a trip to the cinema recently whilst visiting my sister. I set my 13 year old the task of working out the cheapest option between two cinemas for 3 adults and 2 children. He researched the prices online – taking into account that one cinema charged a ‘teen’ rate, the other a child rate. Then he had to take into account that one cinema had a 10% discount if booked online. 

We got an answer to our problem and he practised  his applying maths and problem solving skills. Win win!

Please see our other blogs and  also our regular column in ‘Primary Times’ in Cambridgeshire.