| Many children are being left behind due to | | | | earlier, your child needs to be an expert on |
| lack of math skills. Schools today seem to do | | | | fractions. Anything and everything. Again, |
| a poor job of preparing students for math at | | | | worksheets and extra instruction are probably |
| the middle and high school level. Here are 5 | | | | a must. This will be an impossible task if |
| tips that parents can use to help their child | | | | your child has not followed through on tip #5 |
| be successful at math. | | | | above. |
| | | | |
| 1) Start early. Before your child goes to | | | | 7) In all stages above, it is imperative to |
| preschool, they need to be familiar with | | | | do oral and mental math. Without this skill, |
| small numbers, up to 10. Two is easy to teach | | | | your child will be forever stuck with a |
| and point out. Pair of socks, shoes, etc. | | | | pencil and paper. And the more work done on |
| Five fingers on a hand and toes on feet. Ten | | | | paper with a pencil, the more there is a |
| total fingers and toes. | | | | chance for an error. And, your child will be |
| | | | stuck following steps instead of "just doing |
| 2) At the preschool level, start counting up | | | | math." Doing oral and mental math makes a |
| to 20. Add small numbers, 1 plus 1 is 2. 2 | | | | person very comfortable with math. Many |
| plus 1 is 3. You can even begin the fraction | | | | adults have math phobia, due in no small part |
| of one half. Half a sandwich, and other food | | | | to not being able to do mental math. How to |
| items are a great start. | | | | do it? While driving, cooking, shopping, |
| | | | sightseeing, almost any situation, you can |
| 3) When finishing kindergarten, your child | | | | drill your child on math. If a box costs $2, |
| needs to be able to count past 20 and know | | | | how much does 2 cost? How many horses do you |
| what larger numbers mean as well. Not working | | | | see? Count the blue cars. Are their more boys |
| with them, just be familiar. | | | | than girls? Anything! Be creative. You can |
| | | | even get them to recite the times tables. |
| 4) In first grade it is essential that your | | | | This will also set the stage for an important |
| child begin basic math facts. Most schools do | | | | skill they must master. Word problems! How |
| a good job at starting basic math facts. | | | | many times have you heard people say they |
| | | | cannot do word problems? The oral problems |
| 5) From second grade to third, you need to | | | | you make up are just another form of word |
| ensure that your child becomes an expert on | | | | problems. If your child is used to doing |
| adding, subtracting, multiplying, and | | | | math, without a problem written on paper, |
| dividing all numbers between 0 and 12. You | | | | your child will not fear word problems. If |
| may need to get copies of worksheets or flash | | | | you adamantly do the above, there is one last |
| cards. This is the MOST important step that | | | | step. Sometimes it is out of your control, |
| you can do to start the groundwork of your | | | | but do your best! |
| student being successful in math. Too many | | | | |
| children today go through the first 6 grades | | | | 8) Put your child in a class where there is |
| lacking these skills. Without it, they cannot | | | | an effective algebra teacher, and all math |
| do fractions or any other higher concept. | | | | classes beyond sixth grade. You may find this |
| | | | hard, but the only one fighting for your |
| 6) At the fourth grade level, and perhaps | | | | child is you! |