How to improve Math skills?

 
People aren’t bad at math — many just need more time and practice to gain a thorough
understanding. How can you help to improve your math abilities? 

1. Wrap your head around the concepts

There are many great ways to break down math concepts. The trick is finding the one
that works best for your child.

Math manipulatives can be a game-changer for children who are struggling with big
math ideas. Taking math off the page and putting it into their hands can bring ideas to
life. Numbers become less abstract and more concrete when you’re counting toy cars or
playing with blocks. Creating these “sets” of objects can bring clarity to basic math
learning.

2. Try game-based learning

During math practice, repetition is important — but it can get old in a hurry. No one
enjoys copying their times tables over and over and over again. If learning math has
become a chore, it’s time to bring back the fun! 

Game-based learning is a great way to practice new concepts and solidify past lessons. It
can even make repetition fun and engaging.

Game-based learning can look like a family board game on Friday night or
an educational app, like Prodigy Math.
Take math from frustrating to fun with the right game, then watch the learning happen
easily!

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3. Bring math into daily life

You use basic math every day. 

As you go about your day, help your child see the math that’s all around them: 

 Tell them how fast you’re driving on the way to school

 Calculate the discount you’ll receive on your next Target trip
 Count out the number of apples you need to buy at the grocery store
 While baking, explain how 6 quarter cups is the same amount of flour as a cup and a
half — then enjoy some cookies!

Relate math back to what your child loves and show them how it’s used every day. Math
doesn’t have to be mysterious or abstract. Instead, use math to race monster trucks or
arrange tea parties. Break it down, take away the fear, and watch their interest in math
grow.

4. Implement daily practice

Math practice is important. Once you understand the concept, you have to nail down the
mechanics. And often, it’s the practice that finally helps the concept click. Either
way, math requires more than just reading formulas on a page.

Daily practice can be tough to implement, especially with a math-averse child. This is a
great time to bring out the game-based learning mentioned above. Or find an activity
that lines up with their current lesson. Are they learning about squares? Break out
the math link cubes and create them. Whenever possible, step away from the worksheets
and flashcards and find practice elsewhere.

5. Sketch word problems

Nothing causes a panic quite like an unexpected word problem. Something about the
combination of numbers and words can cause the brain of a struggling math learner to
shut down. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Many word problems just need to be broken down, step by step. One great way to do
this is to sketch it out. If Doug has five apples and four oranges, then eats two of each,
how many does he have left? Draw it, talk it out, cross them off, then count. 

If you’ve been talking your child through the various math challenges you encounter
every day, many word problems will start to feel familiar. 

6. Set realistic goals

If your child has fallen behind in math, then more study time is the answer. But forcing
them to cram an extra hour of math in their day is not likely to produce better results. To
see a positive change, first identify their biggest struggles. Then set realistic
goals addressing these issues. 

Two more hours of practicing a concept they don’t understand is only going to cause
more frustration. Even if they can work through the mechanics of a problem, the next
lesson will leave them feeling just as lost. 

Instead, try mini practice sessions and enlist some extra help. Approach the problem in a
new way, reach out to their teacher or try an online math lesson. Make sure the extra
time is troubleshooting the actual problem, not just reinforcing the idea that math is hard
and no fun. 
Set Goals and Rewards in Prodigy Math
Did you know that parents can set learning goals for their child in Prodigy Math? And
once they achieve them, they'll unlock in-game rewards of your choice!

See how it works

7. Engage with a math tutor

If your child is struggling with big picture concepts, look into finding a math tutor.
Everyone learns differently, and you and your child’s teacher may be missing that “aha”
moment that a little extra time and the right tutor can provide.

It’s amazing when a piece of the math puzzle finally clicks for your child. If you’re
ready to get that extra help, try a free 1:1 online session from Prodigy Math Tutoring.
Prodigy’s tutors are real teachers who know how to connect kids to math. With the right
approach, your child can become confident in math — and who knows, they may even
begin to enjoy it. 

8. Focus on one concept at a time

Math builds on itself. If your child is struggling through their current lesson, they can’t
skip it and come back to it later. This is the time to practice and repeat — re-examining
and reinforcing the current concept until it makes sense.

Look for other ways to approach new math ideas. Use math manipulatives to bring
numbers off the page. Or try a learning app with exciting rewards and positive
reinforcement to encourage extra practice. 

Take a step back when frustrations get high — but resist the temptation to just let it go.
Once the concept clicks, they’ll be excited to forge ahead.

9. Teach others math you already know

Even if your child is struggling in math, they’ve still learned so much since last year.
Focus on the improvements they’ve made and let them showcase their knowledge. If
they have younger siblings, your older child can demonstrate addition or show them how
to use a number line. This is a great way to build their confidence and encourage them to
keep going.

Or let them teach you how they solve new problems. Have your child talk you through
the process while you solve a long division problem. You’re likely to find yourself a
little rusty on the details. Play it up and get a little silly. They’ll love teaching you the
ropes of this “new math.”