In our previous blog, we talked about building math confidence in children by speaking positively about the subject, identifying reasons for math anxiety and also providing a supportive environment for learning math.

Before we delve into ways to make math easy and enjoyable for children, here are some causes of math anxiety we have observed in children;

One of the reasons children do not like is because their foundation is not as strong as it needs to be. Mathematics is a cumulative subject. The building blocks are mental arithmetics i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. If these fundamentals are weak, it becomes a struggle to build upon them and learn more advanced forms.

Secondly, math is repetitive.  Math requires consistent practice to master. This can make learning math uninteresting for children.

So, how can we make learning math easy and fun for children?

• Play math games. Children like to play. Introducing math games is a perfect way for children to play and learn. Parents can play math Bingo at home with children or ‘jump on the number’ in the backyard or playground.
• Make math relatable. Help children by letting them handle daily math problems. For example, when you go shopping, ask children to calculate the cost of the purchase (addition) and how much change they will get (subtraction). This will help children to appreciate the daily application of mathematics.
• Vary the math problems you ask children to answer. Because math is repetitive, solving the same math problems over and over again makes it boring. Parents can use familiar objects and real-life situations to explain and teach math. Parents can ask, “how many slices of pizza will each person have if four people are sharing? Easy to make sense of, don’t you think so?
• Make use of online resources. Children today have a high interest in technology and the internet.  Children are likely to be more engaged with activities that involve the use of gadgets and the internet. Why not make meaningful use of their interest in digital technology?