What parents can do at home to help your kids with Maths

• Maths today is about understanding number patterns and thinking mathematically, not learning by rote.
• Saying "I was bad at Maths too" is one of the worst things you can do as it lowers their own expectations of themselves.
• There is always more than one way to get the right answer.
• Children are taught mental strategies, like using number lines, to work out problems in their heads.
• Ask "What is the question asking you?"
• Draw pictures to help them visualise.
• Practise number facts appropriate for their age/ ability/ interest (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
• Don't jump in with the answers.
• Stay positive.
• Explain how math applies to real-life situations and challenge them to help you solve the math problems you encounter when you're out together, such as figuring out how many apples to buy or calculating change. Your child will be more interested in mastering Maths if they realize its value.
• Encourage them to talk to their teacher if they need more help with their Maths.

The following websites may assist your child with Maths:

https://au.ixl.com/standards/maths

https://community.mathletics.com/signin/#/student (All DSS students have a student log-in and password as this program is used at school)

Regards, Linda Smith

Head of Department (Curriculum)