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Maths Tips for Parents and Students
Sound
math skills are essential to the academic
and personal success of every child. Following
are some tips advised by myaliflaila.com's
educational experts that parents can use
to tune up, rev up and accelerate their
children's math skills.
1. Discuss with your child the types of
jobs that use math skills
How often do we hear, "Why do I have to
learn algebra?" It is important to make your
child realize how important math is in our everyday
lives and especially in our careers. Who do
you know who deals with spreadsheets or budgets
filled with numbers and formulas? Who reads
diagnostic reports that include numbers and
graphs? Who calculated the slant of the roof
on your house?
2. Talk maths
Wherever you go, whatever you are doing, talk
math. For example, at the grocery store, ask
your child, "How many __ do you see? How much
more does this one cost? How much change should
I get back? What's the sale price if it is 30%
off the regular price."
3. Bake a cake
Baking incorporates several different math concepts
— measurement, volume, and time just to
name a few. You measure the ingredients using
the proper measurement tool, determine the size
of the baking dish, decide which bowl will hold
all of the ingredients, and set the timer for
the baking time.
4. Explore the Internet
There are many educational as well as entertaining
sites on the Web related to math.
5. Traveling by car
For years, children have called out the different
license plates they see on other cars. Why not
have them keep a written tally of how many they
see, or how many red, blue, black or purple
cars they see? Then they could analyze the result
by calculating the percentages, creating bar
graphs or drawing pie charts.
6. Traveling by airplane
Before your trip, have your child research how
many miles you will be traveling, along with
distances to other destinations. Then, work
with your child to use addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division to make a chart
of various combinations. Let's say you're traveling
from Baltimore, Maryland, to Nashville, Tennessee.
Is this trip longer or shorter than traveling
from Baltimore to New York City? By how much?
7. Talk money
Does your child receive an allowance? If so,
have your child calculate how much interest
could be earned if the money were placed in
a savings account. Or how much more will be
he/she get next year if given a 5% increase?
Discuss how much needs to be saved toward a
college education or a new car.
8. Make flashcards
We have all seen flashcards for math facts (2+16=18).
You can buy these cards ready-made or make your
own. But don't stop there — help your
child make cards for math vocabulary (triangle
— a figure with 3 sides) or concepts and
theorems.
9. Money doesn't grow on trees
It's good to teach kids the reality of money.
Discuss all the various living expenses you
incur -- rent or mortgage payments, utilities,
car payments, groceries, gas, clothes, school
supplies, insurance, etc. Have your child make
a chart and discuss ways to save money in each
area.
10. Learn how to use a calculator
Don't let your teen wait until the day before
an exam to start practicing with a new calculator.
This is particularly important for big tests
such as college entrance exams.
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