Maths

What can I do to help my child at home?

Any time you can spend helping your child with their maths or discussing their learning is hugely beneficial. The more opportunities that children have to practise maths, the easier it becomes. These opportunities could come about through homework, when demonstrating to you what they have learned in class or even during ordinary everyday situations.

There are a large number of helpful websites which can help your child with their maths. Some suggestions are below:

• https://www.mathschase.com/all-games/ 

• http://www.maths4mumsanddads.co.uk/

• http://www.familymathstoolkit.org.uk/

• http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Flash.aspx?f=SpeedChallenge

• http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/

• http://www.ictgames.com/resources.html

• http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/

• http://uk.ixl.com/

• http://www.mathsisfun.com/

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/maths/

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/maths/

• http://www.multiplication.com/

• http://mathszone.co.uk/

• http://www.ilovemathsgames.com/
  
  Younger children should practise counting as often as possible. Here are some ideas for counting games:

• Chant the number names, encouraging your child to join in when they feel confident.

• Sing number rhymes together.

• Give them the opportunity to count a range of interesting objects (coins, pasta shapes etc), encouraging them to touch and move each item as they count it.

• Then ask them to count things they cannot touch or see (more difficult!) such as claps or jumps.

• Look for numbers in the environment, for example in your house or when out shopping.

• Cut out numbers from cards, magazines etc. and ask your child to order them.

• Make deliberate mistakes when counting or ordering numbers. Can your child spot what you have done wrong?

  All children should have the opportunity to solve real life problems involving numbers. Below are a few ideas to use as a starting point. The more ‘real’ a problem is, the more motivated they will be when trying to solve it:

• When shopping, ask your child to find the total cost of 2 or 3 items and how much change you will get.

• If you are planning an outing, ask your child to work out what time you will need to set off and how much money you will need to take.

• Ask your child to use a TV guide to work out the length of their favourite programmes.

• Use a bus or train timetable to plan journeys. How long will it take?

• Involve your child in weighing and measuring the ingredients when cooking. Ask them to scale the recipe up or down in order to feed the right amount of people.

• Plan a party or a meal on a budget.