Math is a challenging subject for many students from elementary school all the way to college. As a parent, you should make maths homework fun so that your kids look forward to solving the problems.
Since math is all about interconnected concepts, your kids need a lot of practice. If they don’t understand the basics while they’re still young, there is no way it will get easier as they grow up.
Laying a solid foundation for your kids involves showing up each time they say, “Help me do my math homework.” Even though you have a busy work schedule, you have to show up for your kids.
If they see you making an effort to help them, they’ll also try their hardest to excel. In reality, math is not really a tough subject, the child’s attitude will determine if it challenges them or not. Raise your child with the knowledge that math is as easy as any other subject.
Once the brain gets the memo, there is nothing that can stop your child from coring excellent grades. Here are 10 creative ways to make math homework fun for your child.
1. Have Fixed Homework Schedules
Monday blues are real because kids have just gotten from a long weekend of playtime and entertainment. Doing their math homework can be a struggle because their brain is having a hard time readjusting.
To avoid this hassle, you should have a fixed homework schedule that applies for the weekends. This way, when that time comes, their brain will be ready to tackle the task at hand.
Everyone has a hard time adjusting to change whether they are in elementary school or college. Raising your child with the mentality that they should study every day is a solid foundation. They grow up with the knowledge that education is important.
2. Work Together with Your Child
If your child asks you to help them with their math homework, make sure you’re present physically and mentally. Most parents sit at the study table and nod to what the child is saying without looking in their direction.
You will agree with me that this would be demoralizing even for you. Participate by helping them read the questions. Do not however go straight to giving them the answer. Helping your child with homework does not mean feeding them the answers.
You should give them the opportunity to work out each question and help them where they get stuck. This way, they’ll be able to do it on their own the next time.
3. Reward your Child
Nothing motivates a child-like giving them a reward. Before you begin your homework session, promise to give them a reward if they complete a specific task. This will encourage your child to give each question their very best.
Even the brain corporates when you motivate your child with rewards. Remember it doesn’t have to be something extravagant. If you’ve noticed, kids are very easy to love and something as simple as cooking their favorite meal is enough.
4. Have Healthy Snacks on the Ready
When your child gets back home from school, they’re exhausted and hungry. That is why you need to have healthy snacks ready for them. Once they shower, they can eat their snacks as they do their homework.
Invest in healthy snacks that will give your child the energy required to complete their homework. Remember that they should not be foods that will have your child too full to eat dinner.
5. Be Creative
You can use diagrams, multiplication worksheets and as well as objects around you to help your child understand the questions better. For instance, if they need to do a subtraction question, you can use crayons to make it easier.
Counting fingers can be a little confusing for kids even when they clearly understand what the question wants.
6. Organize their Study Area
You need to invest in creating a conducive study area for your kids. This will ensure they look forward to doing their math homework. Working in a chaotic environment is almost impossible for kids because their brains cannot focus when there is no order.
Create a study nook at a quiet corner where they won’t be easily distracted by the TV or the kids playing outside. Kids get easily distracted and getting back their attention is a struggle.
7. Make the Study Area Colorful
Bright colors never fail to brighten the mood of kids. Whether or not they had a tough day in school, they’ll always be glad to be in their study nook because of it colorful and inviting.
Incorporate your child’s favorite colors and involve them in the decoration process. This is an excellent way to bond with your child and find out what their talents are.
8. Have Breaks
Even though you want your child to focus on their math homework, it is good to have short breaks. You can play an educative game or let her watch a short cartoon episode. Sometimes, your child is restless because they want to use the bathroom.
Ask them to go to the bathroom even if they don’t ask to go so they can relieve themselves. A child can hardly focus on their homework if they’re pressed.
9. Pay Attention to Your Child
If you notice that your child doesn’t seem to understand any of the questions, it means they are not in the right mental space to do homework at the time. Let them go out to play and you can come back to it later.
This is especially true for weekends when all kids are at home and playing outside. Kids have a fear of missing out and asking them to do homework when other kids are playing can be a little hurtful.
10. Try Different Teaching Methods
If the method the teacher used doesn’t seem to work for your child, you can introduce another teaching method. Remember to encourage them to ask questions each time they don’t understand anything.
Conclusion
As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure you provide your child with a conducive environment to do their homework. Make sure you’re present physically and mentally for all homework sessions as well.
