As parents, we play a crucial role in shaping our children's attitudes and skills in mathematics and in making it a natural and enjoyable part of everyday life. By fostering a culture of inquiry at home, we can help them develop not only their mathematical abilities but also their critical thinking and communication skills. Here’s how you can support your child effectively in this endeavour.
The Importance of Talk in Building Academic Language in Maths
Maths is not just about numbers and equations; it's also about understanding and communicating ideas clearly. Talk is essential for children to develop the language needed to describe mathematical thinking. By discussing maths concepts, children are encouraged to explain their reasoning, which deepens their comprehension and helps them use maths vocabulary with confidence.
Building Vocabulary
Developing a rich mathematical vocabulary helps children describe problems, express their ideas, and understand the language of maths in the classroom. Here are some tips for building that vocabulary:
- Incorporate Maths Vocabulary into Daily Activities: Use everyday moments to introduce maths terms. For example, when cooking, you can talk about fractions, saying, "We need 3/4 cup of flour. If we only have a 1/4 cup measure, how many times will we fill it?"
- Label Concepts with Words: When playing with building blocks or sorting objects, use terms like "add," "subtract," "total," "more than," "less than," or "estimate." Hearing these terms regularly will help children feel comfortable using them themselves.
- Use Visual Aids: Introduce charts, number lines, or diagrams that illustrate maths concepts and vocabulary. For example, a visual showing "greater than" or "less than" with pictures can help make abstract concepts clearer.
Developing Speaking and Listening Skills
Strong speaking and listening skills are essential for children to process information, ask questions, and discuss their ideas—especially in maths, where collaborative problem-solving and reasoning are key.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage your child to explain their thinking by asking questions like, “What do you think will happen if…?” or “Can you describe another way to solve this problem?” or “Why do you think that works?” encourage them to articulate their thought process. These types of questions encourage deeper thinking and verbal explanation.
- Practice Active Listening: Show interest in their responses, and avoid jumping in too quickly with the "right answer." Instead, repeat what they said to confirm your understanding, or ask for more details. This validates their effort and encourages them to explain further.
- Encourage Group Problem-Solving: If possible, involve siblings or friends in maths-related games or challenges. When children explain their thinking to others, they naturally develop stronger speaking and listening skills.
Developing Problem-Solving Skills
At its heart, mathematics is about problem solving. Whether it’s a simple addition or a complex equation, the essence lies in understanding how to approach a problem systematically. Encouraging your child to view maths as a tool for solving real-life problems will spark their interest and show its relevance.
- Make Problem-Solving Fun: Engage your child in puzzles, board games, or real-world challenges like budgeting for a grocery list or measuring ingredients. These activities encourage children to apply maths skills in enjoyable ways.
- Encourage Multiple Methods: When your child solves a problem, ask, “Is there another way we could solve this?” This builds their flexibility and resilience in maths. It also shows them that there are often multiple ways to approach the same problem.
- Celebrate Mistakes: Remind your child that mistakes are part of the learning process. When they encounter difficulties, guide them through the problem instead of giving them the answer, helping them develop perseverance and creative thinking.
Developing Thinking Skills
Thinking mathematically requires critical reasoning, pattern recognition, and logical thinking. Engaging children in discussions about maths helps them develop these key cognitive skills.
- Encourage Estimation and Prediction: Ask questions like, “How many apples do you think we’ll need for this recipe?” or “How many steps do you think it is to the park?” Estimating helps children develop number sense and think strategically.
- Discuss Patterns and Relationships: Whether it’s spotting patterns in nature or in daily routines, talking about sequences, shapes, or recurring events encourages a mathematical mindset. For example, “Look at the tiles on the floor. Can you describe the pattern?”
- Promote 'Thinking Aloud': Share your thought process when solving problems with your child. For example, when calculating change at a store, say out loud, “I gave £5 and the total was £3.50, so I should get £1.50 back. Let’s check if that’s correct.” This helps them see how maths is applied in everyday situations.
Final Tips for Parents:
- Make Maths Relatable: Use every day experiences to show your child that maths is all around them, from measuring time to dividing a pizza into equal slices.
- Be Positive About Maths: Avoid saying things like “I was never good at maths” or “Maths is hard.” Instead, promote a growth mindset by praising effort and persistence.
- Engage in Joint Activities: Work on puzzles, play maths games, or do cooking or DIY projects that involve measuring and estimating. These activities make learning maths a natural part of life.
By embedding maths into daily conversation, encouraging the use of mathematical vocabulary, and promoting problem-solving in a supportive way, you can help your children develop strong mathematical thinking and communication skills. Through consistent practice and positive reinforcement, these habits will build the foundation for success in maths and beyond.