Helping your kids with English and Maths

How to help your kids with english and maths – simple tips!

August 21, 2019

Boys have many great qualities – they can be curious, active, sensitive, open, affectionate, funny and great to be with. However, if they are struggling with their schoolwork this affects their confidence. Far too often I have seen boys (& girls) and teens slide into disengagement and become discouraged. Parents are also confused with newfangled approaches in education and changing rules for maths and reading techniques. What’s a parent to do in helping their kids with maths and english? Here are some simple tips:

Remind kids that they can do it

“It’s too hard.” “I don’t understand.” To many kids, reading, comprehension and spelling may seem like a secret code. Maths can fall in the same mindset. You might like to tell them,
” When you struggle with concepts, that’s when your brain is growing.” Encourage your kids to take things step by step, and immediately shut down attempts of negative thinking.

Ask your child’s teacher for help

In a perfect setting, your child would approach their teacher and ask for help. But if they are feeling self conscious, don’t be shy about tipping the teacher off about a problem A short email or note is effective.

Do your own investigation

Unsure how your child is to solve a particular maths problem? Google it. There’s no doubt a video of a person doing that exact thing. I recommend resources like Khan Academy and Fun 4 the Brain which are often free and aligned with the content that your child is covering. Want to help them with their class novel? I recommend reading the book then googling resources which deal with the book’s themes and content. If you feel your child needs a boost in their english then our website covers all four literacy areas in one hit.

Don’t stress about testing

Standardised testing has always been around – it is meant to gauge student progress and help teachers find the students requiring extra support. They are not designed to crush your child’s soul. Gaining familiarity with testing under pressure while the stakes are low, can only benefit your son/daughter down the track.

Ask your child to show YOU how they do it

Let your child use graphs, diagrams, pictures to show you how they got an answer. With english, ask them to explain any spelling tricks they might know. You won’t be the first parent to ask an 8 year old what grouping hundreds and tens is or what an ‘antonym’ is!

Revise the basics at home

Occupied with teaching core concepts and strategies, teachers don’t have time to focus on math fact fluency and basic spelling retention. Yet kids can’t progress onto deeper maths learning if they are counting on their fingers or write their ideas if they are hung up on basic spelling. So get out the flash cards and quiz their maths facts. I used to write their weekly spelling words on a piece of paper on the fridge – ask them to randomly spell words before they reached for a snack. Quick recall of these basics makes it easier for teachers to locate other problems and kids can make the most out of timed tests.

Tweens and Teens need a quiet area to study

This age group needs a quiet place to study and focus – not to be distracted by text messages, addictive Instagram feeds and other obstructions. Make sure it’s stocked with must-have supplies, is screen-free and is comfortable.

Keep up to date with tests

Teens tend to underestimate how much time they need to thoroughly study for exams. Rarely do teachers give test or quizzes without notice. Thanks to class websites and direct teacher email, parents know when there’s a test coming up. Write out a schedule when things are due. Pin this to the fridge – this is a central, easily visible part of the home – plus kids visit it many times a day!