How to get Kids Interested in Math

Many people, when asked what their least favorite subject was in school will simply reply “math.” My child used to think so too, until I came across these tips below and applied it on her. She now loves math and enjoys doing math questions especially the challenging questions. Credit goes to Elaine Doxie who share these tips.

 

As a general subject, math is very dull and dry. The numbers and formulae all tend to fuse together, causing many children to tune out. There are ways to get our child interested in math, however. It just takes some creativity, and letting them learn by experience, rather than just the lists of numbers that they see when they look at their textbooks.

 

Start by showing them how math applies to the real world. Numbers by themselves tend not to mean much. However, when we put a dollar sign in front of those numbers, suddenly, they mean everything to a child, or even an adult, for that matter. Fractions are easily taught when teaching a child how to cook. Having them double a recipe or cut it in half will give our child real world experience as to how to work with fractions. These are just two of the ways that math is used in the real world. Even geometry can be taught by putting them in charge of decorating their own bedrooms, as they have to determine what they do and do not have space for. By using real world solutions, children realize that math applies to their everyday life. This will often work to get them and keep them interested in math.

 

Another way to get our children interested in math is to make it fun. There are very few people who like constant repetition, yet that is what a lot of math seems to be. There are things that we can do with math that really are fun. If their eyes seem to blur when they are looking at the numbers, turn every problem into a word problem for them. A problem saying 8-2 can be stated by saying, if Jane has 8 cookies and she gives 2 to her brother Tom, how many cookies does Jane have left? This works similarly to using real world solutions, but is based slightly more on our imagination.

 

Showing our children real world solutions and or making the subject more fun does work for most children, although there are a few that are still not interested. Many children who show a complete lack of interest in a subject do so because it is difficult for them to get the concepts down. This is actually very common. The best thing to do to get those children who find the subject matter difficult interested in it is to find a tutor who will work with them until they are comfortable working with the subject. Having someone there who will work one on one with a child can be the key to sparking a child’s interest in any subject, including, but not limited to math.

 

The important thing is to be sensitive to our child’s needs. Make sure that they know we are willing to listen if they have a problem. This will help them know that if the math work is hard for them, they can count on us to help them. This is the most important part of getting them interested in any subject.

Start them young. I was a little late with my child as I was too obsessed with my career before I became a SAHM… but then again, it’s never too late to learn!