Math homework is an inevitable part of every schoolchild's day. Some children take to math very easily and love working out problems while others have a more difficult time with the process and concepts. Your child might confront a new concept, operation or philosophy of math that will confuse him; after all, math is a language using numbers and operators. Regardless of the group your child falls into, let him know that he can master math.
Step 1
Train your child to start every math homework session by reviewing her assignment from her textbook or any handouts her teacher has given her, suggests Family Education. Once she has reviewed the lesson, have her work on a few sample problems as you're sitting with her to make sure she understands the concepts.
Step 2
Look over any work he did in class. Discuss any problems that he answered incorrectly and help him to analyze where he made his mistakes, advises ED.gov. As he looks through each step he completed, he begins to understand the concept and is developing the ability to think through and reason so he can figure out where he made his mistakes. Use scratch paper to write out the problems and show him how to figure the problem out correctly. As you work through his incorrect answers, let him know that making mistakes is the best way to learn to do the work correctly as long as he figures out where he took the wrong steps.
Step 3
Ask your child some questions when she is truly stuck on a problem. Start by asking if her math book has a similar example that she can study and practice. If not, ask if she has one in her notes. Suggest reading through the problem together in order to figure out what the problem is asking for. Try to write up an easier math problem that is still like the one she's stuck on. Once she solves that one, go back to the original problem to see if she can work it out. If she's stuck on a word problem, see if drawing it out might help her to solve it, suggests the Cool Math website.
Step 4
Work on word problems by teaching your child how to approach the problem. Teach him to read the word problem and break it down. If it helps to substitute smaller numbers to solve the problem, work on the problem this way, then replace the original numbers in that problem and have him solve it, suggests Family Education.
Step 5
Use small objects to help her develop an understanding of new concepts. Show her how to use the objects to solve the problem; as she solves each part of the problem, have her write down her answers. Take this a step further and have her use the objects to demonstrate to you that she understands new concepts, suggests Family Education.
Step 6
Teach your child how to do mental math, or math he has to work out in his head. Give him simple problems at first and have him solve them in his head without pencil or paper. As he gets more comfortable figuring out simple problems in his head, move on to more difficult equations. Teach him when using mental math is appropriate--in a restaurant when figuring out the server's tip or in a store, figuring out the sales tax--recommends Family Education.
Tips and Warnings
- Give your child frequent opportunities to use math in her daily life. When you make dinner, show her how you use math to measure ingredients for the dishes you make. Involve her by showing her the recipe and having her measure out ingredients herself. Ask her, for example, if 1/4 cup is bigger or smaller than 1/2 cup. Let her figure it out, then show her the measuring cup.
- If your child has gotten so frustrated that he is in tears, give him a break. He will not learn effectively or at all if he's upset and angry, notes the Cool Math website.
Things You'll Need
- Math homework
- Pencil
- Scratch paper
- Small objects
