More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
Tips for helping a child with mathematics
1. Tips For Helping A Child With
Mathematics
A Japanese scientist named Shinichi Suzuki performed an
experiment with children that spans from their first weeks
on Earth until they are seven years old. Through the formula
that Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker, identified as
exposure, imitation, and encouragement, Professor Suzuki
nurtured these children to be able to play the music of
renowned musicians such as Vivaldi and Chopin.
One fact derived from that experiment is the great potential
of young people to learn complicated matters and to apply
them, even if a child has no natural talent in that specific
field.
The same principle applies in mathematics. All children are
equally capable of mastering it, given that they receive sufficient guidance and encouragement.
Teachers, parents, and tutors may not be able to focus on this the same way that Professor Suzuki did,
but there are methods they can use to assist their children in the midst of busy schedules.
If you are one of the guardians I am talking about, heed the tips mentioned in this article to modal more
enthusiastic generation of young mathematicians. By letting them conquer what majority claim as the
most difficult subject, you give them the confidence to break through bigger challenges.
Never tell them that it is Hard
The mind is a powerful thing, and a child is a vulnerable being. Children will not long listen to you; they
will believe you. Telling them that math is a complex subject that everybody has difficulty coping with
will create boundaries in their abilities. Worse, they will have an excuse to do poorly.
Inject in their minds that math is an easy subject that requires plenty of practice, patience, and
perseverance, and they will face it with a positive outlook. Doing so will simplify teaching math and
learning it.
Let them solve problems themselves
One of the best help you can give them is independence. Spoon-feeding them the answers will only
make them dependent on you whenever the going gets tough. They become slack and go to you for the
solution instead of finding it themselves.
The next time your child asks you for help, tell them to compute for an answer first and then return to
you so you can check whether it is correct. Motivate them to practice as much as they need until they
2. master the lesson. The sense of accomplishment they will feel upon arriving at the correct answers is
irreplaceable. It will become their stepping stone for improvement.
Remember that math can be fun
Children use the right side of their brain while studying, meaning they are more conducive to creative
methods of learning. Though colored books can be expensive, choose them over the traditional black
and white ones. Children will be more engaged in the lessons if they see colors and pictures. It becomes
easier for them to correlate facts with familiar images, and therefore they retain the information longer.
The computer and the internet can be your partners
Parents have trouble separating their children to their gadgets. Under close inspection, this is largely
due to the computer games and other such software applications that trap their attention to the very
last drop.
Instead of campaigning against computer games, why not use it to your advantage? Replace those
pointless apps with something math related. Your children can still play their games, but now they
actually learn in the process. Own the saying that bad habits should not be eliminated; rather they
should be replaced by good ones. The children will not even realize that they’re actually studying.
The internet, too, can be a serious distraction. Applying the same principle, join them in their internet
surfing hours and tackle math online classes (http://www.mathfoundation.com) together. Hundreds of
these exist in the worldwide web. The challenge for you is to find the appropriate one for your child.
These online courses usually cover basic mathematics to pre-algebra lessons, so there is no doubt that
this is a tool you can use for years to come. The approach of these websites to studying is similar to that
of the games we previously mentioned. Lessons are presented in interesting and creative formats,
enough to hold the attention of a child for long stretches of time.
The computer and the internet can be your friend or your enemy – you decide.
The point is, math doesn’t have to be a burden.