Do you think you can still outsmart your fifth grader?
Convincing your child about something used to be so much easier when they were still a toddler or even up until they were still in the lower grades, right? Nowadays, fifth graders seem to know so much more. With that knowledge comes the chance to question the reason they need to do this or that.
When it comes to convincing your kid to take supplementary math classes for kids, would you know how to make it interesting enough so they would want to sign up for it?
If not, read on and find out some helpful tips and tricks to make math more fun for your not-so-little one.
The Multiplier Effect
When you want your child to excel in mathematics, you can find ways to increase their interest in the subject. By intensifying your efforts to help your child focus more attention to arithmetic, there is also a chance that your kid will find math more fascinating.
Let’s face it, not all kids are created equal when it comes to numeracy skills. While some are born to be whiz kids in math, some may need more guidance and prodding to develop an affinity for the subject. If your child falls into the latter category, worry not. There are effective ways to improve their aptitude and attitude towards mathematics.
As a parent, you play a vital role in helping develop your child’s interest in arithmetic. While fifth-graders could have developed a stronger sense of self, they are also young enough to look to you for guidance. Your listening ear and helping hand will go a long way in leading them to make positive moves that will benefit them in life.
Whether they’re comparing prices of electronic drum sets or out there buying groceries, mathematics is one subject matter that will surely help them as adults.
As early as now, you can start planting the seeds of interest by making the subject more fun. Here are some ways to make math more enjoyable:
1. Enroll your child in a progressive learning center
Kids may not be so interested in math when it is taught in a formal school setting. Stressing about grades, fear of strict teachers or pressure from their classmates may inhibit their interest in the subject.
However, when math is introduced outside school, some kids break out of their shells. They start to develop a healthy fascination for numbers and mathematical systems in a less prohibitive environment.
Advanced learning centers that employ seasoned math specialists can provide a more relaxed learning atmosphere. One-on-one instruction may allow the student to be more open about asking questions or expressing ideas. They will still learn from subject matter experts without the anxiety of being given a bad grade that will reflect on their academic report card.
2. Join math camps
In addition to regular math sessions in learning centers, your kids may also find mathematics more exciting when taught in an entertaining way. Some forward-thinking learning centers offer math and science, technology, engineering, and purely mathematics camps to kids of different ages and grade levels.
These camps combine compelling math concepts with exciting activities to encourage student engagement. Aside from teaching the four basic operations, metric system, time-telling, and more advanced topics such as algebra, percentages, and profit and loss, hands-on activities are also included in these camp programs.
Math concepts are absorbed better when kids are in a more comfortable atmosphere. Math camps are places where they have more breathing space while learning and having fun with kids their age.
3. Incorporate math in daily activities
Another way of making math more interesting is to make it part of your daily life. As your fifth grader grows, you can tie in math in the things that they do, their hobbies, or even the chores that they need to do.
For example, you can develop their math skills while they’re helping out in the kitchen. Ask them to help you measure ingredients, take note of the cooking time, or convert volume.
You can also make them realize the importance of math in their daily interactions or pastimes. For example, if your child is fond of gadgets and online games, tell them that math is one of the basic principles of programming language. Their apps are built from numbers and their correlation to each other.
You can also demonstrate that math plays a role even while shopping or malling. If your child is excited to go to the mall, ask them to pay for items and count change for you. Let them compare prices, compute the percentage in discount offers, or simply add up the total of your purchases.
You can also ask your child to assist you in the kitchen by helping take measurements of certain ingredients.
It All Adds Up
These are some of the ways by which you can bring math closer to your child’s heart and mind.
With your efforts and patient guidance, you can help your child become more interested and involved in sharpening his or her numeracy level. These activities will add excitement to learning the subject and make math a more fun activity for your child.
