By Sunny Tan
Maths is everywhere. From the numbers on buses to the patterns in nature, we are exposed to maths in everything we do. Helping your child appreciate the ‘organic’ nature of Maths makes it fun and accessible. Here are five ways you can teach your little one to love maths.
- Go on an adventure: Something as simple as going on a walk gives children the chance to use their maths skills. When out, ask them questions such as which tree is bigger? Can we find another plant with this leaf pattern? Or encourage them to count the number of steps it takes to cross the park.
- Bake a cake: Children love to mix, stir and pour. Through these actions they can learn essential maths skills like measuring and estimating. The best part is, you get to eat your lesson at the end of the session!
- Be curious: The more your child sees you observing maths all around you and asking questions, the more you ‘demystify’ it and make it accessible.
- Be honest: Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t have all the answers. By acknowledging this you show your children that being smart isn’t about always having the right answers but it is about asking the right questions and knowing where to find answers. Encourage your children to seek answers for themselves.
- Hear their voice: Children need to feel they are being listened to — that there are no silly answers or questions. Be enthusiastic about their enquiries and evaluations.
Sunny Tan is the author of ‘Mastering Heuristics Series’ and founder of Maths Heuristics. Maths Heuristics is the first organisation in Singapore to offer a total integrated learning platform for mastery of heuristics to educators, parents and children in P3 and above. It comprises a suite of learning tools including classes, guidebooks, virtual classroom, web videos, and a mobile app for interactive step-by-step learning for child and parent to work through together.
