Mathematics; what’s not to love… right? Well, many of us see the subject as something difficult, dreary and which we have to endure rather than enjoy. Many of us think you are either born being good at Mathematics and like it or are not and don’t.
Our View:
Mathematics has a bit of an identity problem. Many young people are put off maths at school because of some of the repetitive work involved, such as learning times tables or how to calculate. However, these skills, whilst important, are to mathematics, what learning scales is to playing a musical instrument or practising free kicks is to football.
In the broadest, simplest sense, mathematics is about patterns and puzzles. It forms the environment for exploration, investigation and deduction and teaches us how to better problem solvers. It is used in everyday life and forms the basis for many careers in the fields of science, technology and engineering.
Remember, with the right support, anyone can be taught how to be a better, more confident mathematician.
Our Tips:
With the right support, anyone can be taught how to be a better, more confident Mathematician.
If your child is struggling with an aspect of mathematics, it’s o.k. not to know how to help. The National Curriculum, since 2014, has become more demanding and different teachers take different approaches to teaching new concepts and calculations. Your first port of call will be to your child’s school; they should be able to adapt the approach to suit your child’s needs.
Encourage your child to think mathematically daily by incorporating a few simple games (drop us an email for some free, tailored suggestions).
Yes, it is important to be confident with number, including times tables, but being able to chant off by heart isn’t possible for all. There are other ways of being able to recall or calculate them more easily and efficiently. It is about finding the right approach for your child. Contact us for some ideas to try.
Resources:
Mathematics Mat
This resource includes many key mathematical facts which will support learners with place value, times tables, fractions, measurement and mathematical language. An invaluable reference tool!
contact us for free, tailored resources
We will soon be uploading some tried and tested resources to help support your child’s mathematical development. In the meantime, contact us directly to receive free advice or resources, either using the form below or by emailing: mathematics@linkinglearning.co.uk