5 Strategies for Teaching Kids Mathematics

For an adult, elementary math is pretty simple, no doubt. However, teaching elementary math to a kid is like going to war against thousands of armed trolls. You’ll need sheer luck (and maybe a hint of magic) to emerge victorious.

If you’re struggling to teach math to kids, you’re not alone. Face-to-face and online math learning often require a great deal of creativity to keep kids interested until the end. Fortunately, we’ve collated some tested and trusted strategies for teaching math to kids.

So, if you were wondering how to teach kids math, here are five strategies to implement in your classroom:

Incorporate math into daily lives

Incorporating math into a kid’s daily life is a great way to teach them about basic math concepts. This way, they’ll see math not just as an abstract subject but as a core part of our world.

You could start slowly by asking them to count random objects. Ask a child to count the plates you’ll need to set the table or the number of toys they have in their collection. If you’re looking for a more fun activity, ask them to count as many stop signs as they can find on their way to school.

Once you’ve gone over basic counting, you can go on to work on more complex courses like geometry. Bake cookies with your kid and ask them to cut the dough into different shapes. This activity will help to build their shape recognition skills.

Another great way to incorporate math into your child’s daily life is by highlighting the ways you use math. Get them to calculate grocery prices with you or the amount of gas you’d need to pump at the gas station. Over time, they’ll gain practical knowledge of these concepts.

Use math games and apps

Math games are an excellent way for kids to learn concepts quickly while having fun at the same time. What’s more, several experts have approved this strategy as an effective way of driving students’ engagement and motivation.

You could start with simple games and activities such as making origami together to teach a child about shapes. There are also tons of math board games worth trying out.

However, online math games are the way to go if you’re looking for something more advanced. In fact, most of the best math websites for kids now integrate educational games into their curriculum to make learning more exciting and productive.

Make flashcards

According to Herzing University, more than 50% of college students say that they use flashcards as a study tool. However, flashcards aren’t just for college students alone. Experts say that these colorful tools are excellent for teaching math to young learners. They provide kids with practical, hands-on experience and are effective for knowledge retention.

For instance, if your child experiences difficulties remembering what the number 4 looks like, you can write down some numbers on flashcards and let your kid study them. Over time, the flashcards will be imprinted on their memory, and their struggles will be over.

Beyond these perks, the best part is that flashcards can be made at home with just a few supplies.

Use hands-on tools

When it comes to teaching kids math, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and use hands-on tools. Although many kids are visual learners, the general consensus is that kids tend to learn math faster when they experience and test out concepts for themselves.

A great example of a hands-on teaching tool is an abacus. With this tool, you can teach them all about basic math concepts like addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Your child will love sliding their hands across an abacus during each lesson as the activity provides sensory stimulation.

Furthermore, an abacus helps to build problem-solving skills over time.

Be optimistic

Teaching math to kids may feel frustrating or unproductive sometimes. However, it’s important to note that kids feed off their parents’ or tutor’s energy. If you’re frustrated or pessimistic about their performance, they’d eventually mirror your thoughts and lose confidence.

So, if you’re looking to achieve results, stay positive. Encourage them when they fail, and always provide positive reinforcement. Over time, you’ll begin to see results.

Final Thoughts

Teaching kids math is no walk in the park, especially if you’ve tried all the tricks in the book. However, the key is to stay positive and make your teaching practical rather than theoretical.

We hope this guide helps. Good luck!