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MATH TIPS
HELPING YOUR CHILD WITH ARITHMETIC
Next to physical education, math is the subject most elementary
school children like best. Solving problems makes children feel good about themselves.
Getting the answer right is fun.
However, there will probably come a time when your child gets
frustrated with math and will need your help. When this time comes, the feeling you
communicate and the methods you use to help can make the difference between success or
continued frustration.
It is important to remember that your child must learn arithmetic
skills step-by-step. It is not possible for your child to become competent at new
skills until he / she has learned the old ones. For example, a child who cannot
accurately subtract and multiply will not be successful in division because they must use
these previously taught skills to solve division problems.
BEFORE STARTING TO WORK, SET A POSITIVE TONE
Do tell your child that you are sure you can help and that you will be
glad to.
Don't tell your child that some people are just "no good" at
math. Every child can learn the basic arithmetic skills unless convinced otherwise.
Do be patient when assisting your child. No child likes to be slow
at catching on, but sometimes it takes a little longer for a child to understand than
parents expect.
Don't tell your child that you weren't any good at math either (even if
it's true!). Studies indicate that parents who show poor attitudes toward math negatively
affect the math abilities of their children.
Do look at the overall picture. Don't focus on just the problem at hand.
Spend the time to find out if your child is making appropriate progress in learning all
his arithmetic skills.
Don't make critical or sarcastic remarks. Comments like "Haven't
you learned this stuff yet?" or "Isn't this the same thing I helped you with
last night - what's wrong with you?" serve no good purpose.
Do remember that arithmetic is learned step-by-step, and if your child
has fallen behind, she will stay frustrated until you help her learn the skills she
missed.
Don't be surprised if you hear these kinds of comments when attempting
to help your child with arithmetic: "That's not how my teacher said to do
it!" "The teacher doesn't write the problem that way!"
Persist! Try to find out how the teacher did explain a particular kind of
problem. Also, referring to your child's math book may help you get beyond this obstacle.
HELPING WITH COMPUTATION
Check to see if he has learned the necessary skills that provide
a foundation for solving the type of problem he is struggling with. It is pointless
to concentrate on the immediate problem at hand if your child hasn't learned the steps
that come before.
Ask your child to show you the kind of problem he is having difficulty
with.
Drop back two steps to a less difficult problem.
Using large, neat print, write the easier problem on a piece of paper
for your child to solve.
Check to see if your child can answer this less difficult problem. Try
several examples.
Using this method, either move up or down through the learning steps
until you find out what your child does know and at what point he begins making errors.
Start work on the first step at which your child cannot do the work
accurately.
Check to see what specific types of mistakes your child is making. Help
him to understand his errors, then correct them.
Write down a couple of examples.
Watch carefully as your child works through the problems. Try to see
where he is making a mistake.
If your child is saying something like "I just don't know where to
begin" or "What do I do now?" explain the entire problem to him step by
step.
If your child completes the problem but makes an error, ask him to work
the problem again. This time have him explain aloud what he is doing. When
your child describes what he is doing, he will probably catch his own error. If not, stop
him where he makes his mistake and explain what needs to be done.
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