There are plenty of math learning programs available to help kids achieve stronger math skills or keep them challenged during the summer and prevent summer slide. Comparing them can be overwhelming because they all offer deals and many of them offer summer specific programs. They all may sound great, but you might be wondering, how do I choose the right math program for my child? If you’re already a patron of Mathnasium of Parker, you’ll know the answer (US!), but if you’ve never registered your child up for any math mastery or tutorial center, you’re probably wondering how to make the choice. Honestly, it’s a matter of unearthing the differences between different centers by asking the right questions. Just as you might interview employees if you have direct reports at your job, or you might want to shop around doctors or attorneys, you might want to do the same for summer math programs. With that said, here are some questions to ask staff members at prospective math tutorial centers:
- Does your math program get to the root of my child’s issue? If your child has off and on struggled with math since starting school and you’ve tried tutors or other afterschool programs with minimal success, it’s probably because nobody has truly determined which of your child’s skill gaps are causing them problems. Most private tutors will ask a child where they need help, leaving it up to the child to say “I need help with this.” It may seem like pointed direction, but it’s an unreliable way to identify overarching fundamental knowledge gaps, because it’s often off the cuff and isolated to a specific math problem that’s in front of them. There can be a number of reasons why your child doesn’t understand fractions or geometry and most tutors can’t assess exactly where to step in. We have assessments, as well as math education experts, to help pinpoint exactly where we need to pick up with your child.
- Does your math program fit my child’s level and pace? Beware of programs that over-promise. Every child who comes to see us at Mathnasium of Parker is in a different spot and if your child is a year or more behind, it might take more than just a summer to make sure they catch up to where they’re supposed to be. The summer is pretty short compared to the school year and going for a program that promises a lot can be tempting to try and prevent your child from having to continue with a math program into the school year, or even the following summer. A good math program will include an assessment first, and then goals for overarching topics that your child can master during the summer.
- Will my child enjoy this program? Enjoyment is really something very personal and most kids don’t necessarily consider math to be fun. The right summer program should have elements of fun to it though. Our instructors teach kids higher level, bigger picture stuff. Sometimes it may not seem related to the more minutia of math, until suddenly it clicks, and then – BAM! – they realize it’s all connected. From then on, it’s about making math interesting and applicable. Rewards are given and fun is granted for working hard and reaching goals. We know that the more enjoyable the program is, the more likely your child will want to attend again if they have more to gain from it.
- Does the program teach to an entire group at once or more face-to-face? Many schools have moved to teaching in group settings for math as a means to help motivate lower grade level kids. However, when teachers have to teach to a large group of students that are working in mixed level groups, they can’t always see or address those who are both low and high skill-wise. The best learning is then done face-to-face with an instructor who directly can attend to whatever the child is needing help with. There is joy in the moments where kids finally understand a concept and we love to see those lightbulb moments.
Outside of registering your child for a summer math program, there is, of course, buying a math workbook and having your child complete a certain amount of problems each day or week. Honestly though, if your child is in the already struggling category, the lack of personal engagement and instruction will likely make it difficult for them navigate a workbook and it could lead to even more math frustration and anxiety. Math workbooks are more sequential and less about mathematical reasoning or creative thinking which is at the heart of numerical fluency. Plus, math workbooks are typically boring and lacking reward. If anything, finding engaging ways to practice math at home while doing some of your daily summer activities can help. Playing sports, cooking together and reading math related books are some examples of activities that can help prevent summer slide.
