Ways to Support Your Child with Maths at Home
We believe that every child can succeed in maths and your support at home plays a big part in that journey. We recently put on a 'How To Support You Child With Maths' workshop. Following on from this, here are some simple, practical ways you can help your child feel confident and enjoy learning maths:
1. Make Maths Part of Everyday Life
Maths is everywhere! You can help your child by:
- Counting coins and working out change while shopping
- Measuring ingredients while cooking
- Reading timetables and telling the time
- Talking about shapes, patterns, and distances
2. Practise Number Facts Regularly
Knowing number facts helps children solve problems more easily. Try:
- Practising times tables and number bonds (e.g. 6 + 4 = 10)
- Using songs, games, or apps to make it fun
- Asking quick-fire questions during car journeys or walks
3. Encourage a Positive Attitude
Children learn best when they feel confident. You can support this by:
- Praising effort and persistence, not just correct answers
- Reminding them that mistakes are part of learning
- Encouraging them to explain their thinking—even if they’re unsure
4. Use Visuals and Objects
Using everyday items can help children understand maths concepts:
- Lego bricks, coins, or counters for counting and grouping
- Drawing pictures or diagrams to solve problems
- Using number lines or clocks to explore time and number sequences
5. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Help your child think deeply by asking:
- “How did you work that out?”
- “Can you show me another way?”
- “What would happen if we changed this?”
6. Support Homework Positively
Homework is a chance to practise, not a test. You can help by:
- Sitting with your child and talking through the task
- Encouraging them to explain their ideas
- Avoiding giving answers, but instead guide them to find their own
7. Use Recommended Online Resources
We use high-quality resources in school that you can explore at home too:
- Times Tables Rock Stars – fun and competitive practice
- Topmarks – games for all ages
- BBC Bitesize
8. Stay Connected with School
- Ask your child’s teacher what they’re learning and how you can help
- Attend parent workshops or information sessions
- Let us know if your child is finding something tricky. We’re always here and happy to help