How to engage your child if they struggle with math?

It is of no suprise that the National Scorecard of math competency in our country hit a low point this year after students spent almost 2 years learning from zoom calls, google classrooms and other forms of online education. When a child falls behind on a subject, parents first response is to look for outside help through tutoring. And while tutors are there to help a student with homework, explain a topic from school or get ready for a test, parents can also help to ensure students stay engaged and motivated to learn. Here are some tips on how parents can help often times in a fun way.

1. Icorporate math in everyday life - make car rides fun for students by asking them to add up the digits of numbers on licence plates. Make it more challenging by multiplying instead of adding. Mental math is critical for students to develop number sense mastery and that is the foundation to math success.
2. Play math related games - some examples are 4way countdown, Zeus on the loose, 7ate9, to name a few.
3. Boost confidence - when a students doesn't understand a topic or have gaps in their education they will shy away from asking questions which leads to them falling behind even further. Homework becomes a struggle as students don't have the confidence to even attempt to solve a problem. Here at Mathnasium our tutors, and parents at home can help boost confidence by encouraging students to attempt to solve problems on their own first before asking for help, guiding them to obtaining the correct answer, and praising them no matter how little the progress is. There has to be positive reinforcement.
4. Rewards - it is very easy to take something away from a child when they have done something bad or received a bad grade at school. Usually it is taking the phone away. But it is equally important to reward a student when they achieve success at school. Rewards are motivational and encourage students to work toward progress. Set clear expectations and realistic incremental goals. Here at Mathnasium we have implemented a reward system where students can exchange rerward points for cool merchandise - from fidgets, toys, to ipads, watches, and game consoles. While on the topic you may want to read the following blog too:Signs Your Child Struggling in Math?