Help Your Child Love Math

o Visit your child's school. Talk to your child’s teacher to see if your child is doing well in math. Ask what you need to do to help your child in math.

o Set high standards for your child in math. Let your child know that math is important and that they must do their best.

o Help children see that math is very much a part of everyday life. Math is every where from sports to cooking; help your child see that math is all around. Show your child how math is used in everyday living.

o Point out that many jobs require math. Cosmetologist to Presidents all use math. Math is a skill that we all need and is used in all careers. Children must realize that math is a skill that they will use increasingly more as they grow up so they need to perfect their skills now.

o Stimulate your child's interest in technology. Math is fun on calculators and computers so find ways for your child to experiment with math through technology.

o Play games that help children develop decision making and mental math skills. There are lots of games that can be played which teach math skills. Many games are sold, such as board games, which engage children in patterns and probability skills. Games require children to use strategies to make decisions, solve problems, and develop an understanding about numbers and how to use them (number sense) and computational skills.

o Positive attitudes about math will reinforce encouragement. Parents are children’s first teachers. Children look up to their parents and they take on the feelings of parents. If math is important to you, it will be important to your child. Encouraging attitudes about math are important in creating positive feelings towards math for your child.