How to Make Math Fun for Kids?

Why is it that so many students struggle in math? Is it because they’ve never had a teacher who could break-down difficult concepts and make math more easy and interesting for them? Math fear can be tackled by teacher and students both with the help of using practical strategies. There are lots of creative ways to convert math learning into fun learning. Humor while teaching also plays an important role; it serves as good mnemonic that leads to retention of material. Therefore, a teacher must be aware of repertoire of techniques for coaching students.

Teaching active mathematics and its applicability 

Some students are able to grasp mathematical concepts just by using textbooks and sample problems, whereas there are students who need more than just book reading and classroom teaching. Active engagement strategies can be used for motivating struggling learners and to challenge advanced learners. Teachers must choose activities and learning strategies that not only make sense to the children but also aim at increasing student achievement. Such strategies also help in building classroom community.

Math fun games

Kids do love learning, but their first priority is play. But if you give them both at once, there is nothing like that. Teachers should encourage students to use math while playing. One should choose good games and activities that target on a very specific math skill focused on a particular area. Some of the recommended math games are – Sudoku, Flash card multiplication game, Math drill game etc. Dice and playing cards can be great tools for teaching addition, greater than/less than, multiplication, number sense, place value etc to students. Teachers must note just playing games isn't enough; the games must be followed up with the explanations of the underlying ideas, connections and patterns.

Make It Real

A teacher must use lots of real life examples to teach. Majorly big ‘turn off’ for kids about math is that they don’t see how it affects them. A method of inducting math in life could be by telling them to use math while shopping or playing.   For example, kids can bring decimal and percentage lessons in use while shopping. Small children can be taught by using instances of things that fascinate them. For example, simple addition and subtraction can be taught by a teacher by posing sample problem like this – “There were six cupcakes, three large and three small. One pair was iced in chocolate and decorated in sprinkles. Another pair had sprinkles but was iced in vanilla. The third pair had vanilla icing only. Out of these, Amy ate a pair iced in chocolate. Now, how many left?” It will not only be catchy for them but also will make them learn.

Using these strategies teachers will discover ways how math could be made fun and easy for students and how they can easily master them.