How to Make Maths Interesting for Children: Why It Doesn't Have to Be Boring
LikeLearning maths has a bad reputation for being uninteresting, although this view is mostly the result of poor instructional strategies and a lack of application to real-world situations. When maths tutoring is accompanied by creative methods, it can be inventive, interesting, and yes, even enjoyable!
A lot of things play a part in the idea that maths is boring and uninteresting. Students may become disinterested if they are forced to participate in repetitive tasks and rote memorising. Confusion results from abstract ideas that are challenging to visualise. Furthermore, outdated teaching methods are ineffective in piquing students' curiosity and engagement.
Tops tips for engaging children in maths
Fortunately, there are several strategies that educators can apply to prevent maths boredom.
- Include realistic, hands-on activities to provide concrete illustrations of abstract concepts.
- Emphasise practical applications to show their applicability outside of the classroom.
- Use instructional apps and games to include a fun, interactive component.
- Use engaging narrative challenges and puzzles to enhance critical thinking skills.
- To enable pupils to learn from their classmates, encourage cooperative group projects.
- Connect ideas to situations that students frequently face in real life.
- Employ charts, diagrams, and other visual aids to enhance understanding
- Permit customised, adaptable, self-directed learning routes.
- To inspire pupils, give them encouragement and praise.
Math comes alive with potential when it is taught in a creative way, connected to real-world situations, and communicated graphically and interactively. Allowing students to work together and study at their own speed helps them become more self-assured.
Children's perceptions of maths may be changed, and gifted and driven pupils can be assisted in realizing their full potential by demonstrating to them that maths is more than simply formulas and repetition.
The secret is to avoid making maths appear difficult or unapproachable. A willingness to try out different teaching strategies can have a profound impact on how students view and enjoy this important topic.
Finally, use interesting child-oriented questions, where visualisation and understanding of the word problem is coherent - it is that simple!
If you're a tutor for maths or a parent/guardian helping your child learn maths, here's an example of a maths question aimed at children around 8 years old:
At the Galactic Adventure Park, Sophie is going on an adventure. She finds the Space Drop, the Nebula Ferris Wheel, and the Quantum Coaster to be three thrilling experiences. There are nine loops on the coaster, five pods on the ferris wheel, and four possibilities for descent on the space drop. Every day, Sophie wants to try a new set of rides. In three days, how many different riding combinations can Sophie experience? Resolution: Sophie multiplies the total number of options for each ride to get the total number of ride combos: There are 180 different ways to combine the rides: 9 (Quantum Coaster) × 5 (Nebula Ferris Wheel) × 4 (Space Drop). For three days, Sophie can experience 180 unique and thrilling ride combinations at the Galactic Adventure Park!