Maths at Home

It is well known that when parents regularly read to their children, it gives them a distinct advantage in school. The same applies to maths by doing and supporting maths at home. How you encourage and promote your child’s maths learning can be instrumental in their attitude towards it and therefore their achievements in Maths.  This doesn’t mean you need to be a mathematician yourself, there are many simples ways to help your child be capable in maths.

In this page you will find ideas and resources to support your role in making a difference to your child’s maths education.

Some things to remember:

• Be positive about Maths
  • Communicating a positive and can-do attitude about maths is probably the most important thing you can do to encourage success in Maths.
  • Try to avoid comments such as ‘I was never good at maths’, or ‘I never liked maths’.
  • Let your child know that everyone can learn Maths and that you think Maths is important and fun.
  • Encourage them to be persistent and keep trying if something seems difficult by praising their effort whether or not they solve the problem or understa
• Make Maths a part of your child’s day
  • Discuss and talk about how maths is used in everyday life for example, the ways that family members use maths in their jobs.
  • Where possible involve your child in everyday activities where maths is used. Some examples might be cooking, shopping, setting the table.
  • Involve your child when you use maths tools such as a ruler, a calculator, or measuring cups.
  • You could also play games and puzzles with your child.
  • Use technology such as computers and iPads to practise maths.
• Remember Maths is everywhere!
  • Point out and discuss Maths wherever you see it, not just in your home, everywhere you go.
  • What shape does that tree look like?
  • How far before we get there?
  • How many minutes will it take?
  • How many goals did we kick at the footy? How many points is that all together?
  • How many red cars can you count?
  • How is there maths in the design of a ferris wheel or a building? What patterns can you see?
  • Counting steps, by 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s.
  • What time is it now? How do you know?
  • The more you start looking, the more you’ll find!
• Tools to have at home
  • Rulers and tape measures
  • Clocks, (both analogue and digital)
  • Calculators, dice, deck of cards
  • Measuring cups, jugs, scales,
  • Plastic money

Breaking down Mathematics into areas

Some more ideas for the home…