Ten Ways to Make Math Fun
Try to make math fun for your child. If you can make math practice into a game, it will be more enjoyable for everyone. Here are a few basic skills for you to work on with your child.
- Addition and subtraction facts. Use flash cards if you have them. Use a deck of playing cards – draw two or three cards and add the values of them. Take turns with your child. Set a goal number and whoever reaches it first wins. You will probably come up with other ideas yourself.
- Practice counting by 2’s, 3’s, 4’s, 5’s, and 10’s to 100.
- Practice adding 1 more, 2 more, subtracting 1 less, 2 less in your head. Start out with easy numbers and work up to harder ones.
- Practice adding and subtracting with 10 or more in your head. Again, start out with easy problems and work up to more difficult ones.
- Practice counting money. Figure how much snacks will cost. Figure change coming back. Practice counting back change.
- Practice telling time (on a digital and a non-digital clock).
- Get a tape measure, yard stick, meter stick, ruler, or anything that is marked for measuring length. Measure items outside. See how far your child can throw a ball, etc. Make it a game or contest.
- Get out a recipe and have your child help you cook. See if they can double a recipe or divide it in half.
- If you are traveling, predict how long it will take to reach your destination.
- Have your child look at a road map and help plot your trip.