If a child struggles with math, chances are it isn’t because appropriate math concepts haven’t been taught. Although children might learn math concepts, the information might not “stick” – that is, the child may soon forget what she learned.
Enhancing the learning experience in innovative ways, such as providing learning on computers and tablets, makes learning more fun – which can result in increased retention of concepts.
Here are some tips and tricks that can be useful in not only making learning math more fun, but also in remembering the information so it can be used when needed in the future.
Song lyrics can be easy to remember because music reinforces words. Turning math facts into a song can help a child remember it – at least long enough for it to transfer from short-term to long-term memory. Another bonus to songs is that kids don’t get tired of hearing or singing them over and over again. In fact, that’s kind of the point of a song – to listen to it over and over again!
A mnemonic is a saying that corresponds to a set of facts that needs to be memorized. Mnemonics help some kids learn math facts, while others don’t seem to be able to remember the mnemonic any better than the facts themselves. One common mnemonic is “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally,” which helps kids remember the order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction.
Games are a great way to practice various operations so that they are mastered and remembered. These games can be online, board games or card games. For example, Monopoly is great for adding and subtracting larger numbers. Some card games can also help learn math facts. If you find the right games, kids may not even realize that they are having fun and learning!
Cheat sheets don’t seem like they would be a good thing, but they can actually help students learn math. They give students repeated exposure to the material students need to learn while increasing their confidence when completing their work.
Allowing students to color their own math charts can help them remember how things look visually. Coloring is also a fun activity that will help associate math with fun activities rather than unpleasant ones. And when kids find math fun, they become eager participates in their own learning.
There are all sorts of math tricks and shortcuts to help kids remember math facts. Kids like to learn tricks because, to them, it feels like they are learning cool methods that are different than the expected strategies.
Using purchased flashcards can help kids learn math facts, but they may become boring over time. Having kids create their own flashcards is more effective at helping them learn the facts, and they are more likely to want to use them when they’re self-made, too!
Using methods like these will help children memorize and learn math facts and concepts, which are the building blocks for more advanced math. Kids who master basic concepts and facts are more likely to have greater self-confidence when it comes to furthering their math knowledge.
You can also try online math tutoring programs or apps such as Thinkster Math! Your child will receive a customized learning plan that is monitored by a dedicated, elite coach daily. Using the computer or tablet is a great way to keep math engaging and to ensure your child is staying on a track that optimizes their learning potential!
Source: Thinkster Math
