As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your child struggle with a subject, especially if it’s something as fundamental as maths. It’s common for children to dislike maths, but this can often be because they’re struggling to understand it. However, with the right attitude and support, your child can develop a positive attitude towards maths.
Here are some practical tips to help your child develop a positive attitude towards maths:
1. Encourage a growth mindset
Many children believe that they’re either “good” or “bad” at maths. This fixed mindset can hold them back from improving their skills. Encourage your child to have a growth mindset by emphasising that everyone can improve their maths abilities with practice and hard work.
Remind your child of a time when they found something difficult and through hard work and practice, they became better. For example, when they first started learning to ride a bike. It was challenging but with enough practice, they could do it.
2. Make maths fun
Children are more likely to engage with a subject if they find it fun. Find ways to make maths enjoyable for your child, such as playing maths games, using everyday objects for counting and sorting, or watching maths-related videos.
For instance, you can play the game of “Maths Bingo” or play “Maths Jeopardy” or make up interesting maths problems to solve. If your child loves animals, check out our free Mathical Creatures worksheets.
3. Help them build confidence
When children feel confident about their maths abilities, they’re more likely to approach the subject with a positive attitude. Encourage your child to celebrate their small wins and successes, such as mastering a difficult concept or improving their grades. But remember to focus the praise on progress rather than the end result.
For example, you can say, “I’m proud of you for working so hard on that maths problem. You tried different ways until you solved it.”
4. Connect maths to real-life situations
Children often struggle to see the relevance of maths in their everyday lives. Help your child see how maths is used in everyday situations, such as budgeting, measuring ingredients for cooking, or calculating change at the grocery store.
For instance, while cooking, let your child help you measure out the ingredients and explain how important it is to get the correct measurements to ensure the dish turns out well.
Developing a positive attitude towards maths may take time and effort, but it’s worth it. By encouraging a growth mindset, making maths fun, helping your child build confidence, and connecting maths to real-life situations, you can help your child see maths in a new light and develop a positive attitude towards the subject.
Remember, every small win and improvement is worth celebrating, so keep encouraging your child and watching them grow in their maths skills!
