Making Math Fun (it’s easy!)
Making math fun is simple with just a shift in perspective. It’s all about approach and mindset. Some students see math as fun. For others, well…not so much. For those less mathematically-inclined (which is the majority of students!), there are a few things you can implement that can enhance the math learning experience. These three things can potentially change a student’s outlook about math altogether. What?! I know, right. It’s true.
These ideas can help students build confidence in their math ability, be open to receiving information in a new and fun way (increasing engagement), and show them how much math is actually a part of their everyday life. Taking this approach can make learning math more enjoyable and meaningful for the student. All of this can lead to improved academic success!
Three Tips to Try Now
Utilize online game resources. A common challenge I see with many of my students is memorizing math facts. Multiplication is a common one. As your child moves on into upper elementary, it is critical they have their multiplication math facts down pat. There are some great online resources that provide games to help students get up to speed in this area. Free and fun resources you might want to check out to support math fluency are Big Brainz and ABCya for younger students. While not as game based, Khan Academy has math practice for all ages.
Make it relevant. Math is often used throughout the course of the day. However, many students (adults too!) have a false misconception about this. Think of ways to make your son or daughter more aware of how math is used in their daily activities. For example, when making a purchase at a store, consider allowing them to handle the transaction. Ask them what change they might expect based on the amount of cash they handed the clerk. If you are buying multiple items, have them estimate the total based on the what each item costs. For older students, you could practice percentages when discussing the weather. Noting the differences in temperature over the course of a week and then asking your child to calculate the differences and then by what percent did the temperature go up or down is great real-world math practice!
Relate math to fun science discoveries or facts. You may need to do a quick Google search yourself and get creative here, but most people love hearing about science discoveries or how nature works. Many people don’t realize that most of these discoveries or explanations were stumbled upon with the help of good old math. Find a science-related topic that your child is likely to find interesting and see if you can quickly determine how math was involved in the discovery or how math can help explain the idea. When students see the relationship, math comes alive for them! One fun idea is explaining planets and their rotation or why honeycomb cells are in the shape hexagons.
Remember, making math fun is possible! You can help your student enjoy math and become more engaged with a shift in perspective and a new approach. They will love that you are partnering with them in this way! Looking for more academic support for your K-12 student in math and/or science? You can message me HERE for a free phone consultation.
