If your child is finding maths tricky, trust me, you’re not alone! Many parents feel a little lost when it comes to helping with homework. Ever looked at your child’s maths work and thought, “I swear we didn’t do it like this when I was in school!”?
I mean, who knew Year 3 maths could be so complicated?! Bar models? Long division? Eek! But don’t worry! Here at Primary Tutor Project, we totally understand, so here are five practical tips to help your child tackle those maths challenges and build their confidence along the way.
1. Adapt to Their Learning Style
Every child learns differently, and the way maths is taught today might not be the way you learned it. If your little one is a visual learner, try using colourful diagrams or drawing out problems. If they’re more hands-on, get out some LEGO bricks or counters to bring numbers to life. The key is to match their learning style with a method that makes sense to them.
2. Daily Practice & Consistency
Practice! Practice! Practice! Maths confidence grows with regular, bite-sized practice sessions. The beauty of it all is that you don’t need to spend hours on it. A few minutes a day solving problems can make a huge difference. If you need a little help making practice fun, there are some great apps out there to support learning. Let us know if you’d like recommendations!
3. Keep It Positive!
Avoid saying things like, “I was never good at maths either!” Your child will pick up on this and might start believing they’re not good at it. Instead, re-frame struggles with a growth mindset:
“You don’t know that YET, but you’re learning!”
Encourage them to see mistakes as part of the learning process and celebrate their progress, no matter how small.
4. Make Maths Part of Everyday Life
The best way to make maths less scary? Use it in real life! Get them involved in measuring ingredients while baking, calculating discounts while shopping, or even keeping score in a board game. Showing your child that maths is all around them helps make it feel more natural and useful.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If maths is feeling overwhelming for both you and your child, you don’t have to go it alone! The most common thing we hear from parents is that they have no idea how to start supporting their child as the maths gets increasingly more difficult.
Don’t struggle alone because we can help. Our expert tutors at Primary Tutor Project are here to support your child in developing confidence and skills in maths through our engaging Tuition Clubs and one-on-one sessions.
These tips are designed to make maths feel less daunting for both you and your child. Give them a try and see how things go!
We’d love to support your child’s maths journey. Let’s chat and find the best way to help them thrive.