How to instill in your child an interest in math

For many children, math seems like a terribly boring and complicated subject. Numbers, examples, and problems are difficult for such students, and they are often labeled “humanities”. But it is not always a matter of lack of ability to calculate.

One of the main reasons why a child does not like to solve equations, and each math test for him akin to torture, is a formal approach to learning. To avoid possible problems at school, parents themselves should instill in their child an interest in the exact sciences from an early age.

Adults need to convey to the child that math is not limited to dry numbers, it is a science that helps to understand and calculate the size, quantity, time, space. Even the most ordinary leaf of a tree or the patterned wing of a butterfly carries mathematical proportions, symmetry. Explain to your child that this interesting subject will help him in later life, far beyond the school desk.

How to “discourage” the child from doing math including longer or shorter?
Before we talk about how to instill interest in math, we need to understand what can prevent a child’s desire to learn the basics of the “queen of sciences”.

1. To not face this problem, you do not need to force the student to solve problems. Many parents make this mistake: they don’t let the child out of the table until he has done all the tasks or “bribe” him with a chocolate, if he successfully copes with the work.

Also, endless columns of homogeneous examples, which give the child the impression that school mathematics is devoid of any variety and elegance, are not conducive to the desire to learn.

How to instill in your child an interest in math including identifying equal parts
A parent who loves math and everything associated with it can easily instill an interest in the exact sciences in their child. But even if you do not include yourself to such, it is quite possible to cope with this task, if you find a suitable “math” activity for the child.

Constructor. Lego, metal and other types of designers will help arouse the kid’s interest in geometry and physics when the kid builds complex three-dimensional abstractions from separate small parts.

Origami. Also a useful hobby to develop mathematical inclinations in children. For example, using origami can easily divide the corner into three parts of equal size, without resorting to the use of protractor.

Strategic board games. Many adults believe that board games like chess or Chinese Go to develop a child’s analytical thinking. Therefore, you can arrange family competitions in the evenings or enroll your baby in a chess club.

Logical problems. Try to occupy the child’s mind with interesting tasks, not directly related to precise calculations. Such tasks develop ingenuity and awaken the imagination of a kid.

Music lessons. As it turns out, there is a close connection between mathematical laws and musical laws. In fact, to succeed in both, a child needs the same skills – quick thinking, imagination, and the ability to improvise.

Putting math into practice. Show your child how useful and practical math can be in everyday life by using simple examples. A great idea would be to ask them to divide a pizza among all the family members or count how many slices you get if you cut the dish in half three times. The main thing in this case – visibility – all calculations can be easily checked.

To have no problems with the exact sciences at school and in later adult life, parents need to know how to instill a love of math. The task of adults – to show how interesting and practical this activity can be, as well as to discover for the baby the pleasure of independently found mathematical solutions.