Nobody any longer doubts the fact that there is a crisis with South African pupils\u2019 bad performance in mathematics.<\/p>\n
There is, however, a lot that parents can do from an early stage to ensure that their children succeed.<\/p>
\u201cParents are sometimes hesitant to help their children, because they are not confident about their own mathematics skills,” said Hugo Vermeulen, from Solidarity Helping Hand\u2019s School Support Centre (SOS).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing is that children must have fun.<\/p>
\u201cWhen children associate mathematics outside the classroom with fun they will also have a positive experience of the subject inside the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
SOS has the following tips for parents with children in the lower primary school grades.<\/p>\n
Here are a few games to consider:<\/p>\n
The \u201cCount On\u201d game aims to teach children that they should start at the biggest number when they do addition.<\/p>\n
For example, ask the child to calculate 4 + 2.<\/p>\n
He\/she must hold up four fingers of the one hand and then two of the other hand.<\/p>\n
The child must then count to four and then to six.<\/p>\n
One of the most important numeracy skills is to remember mathematical facts quickly and accurately.<\/p>\n
The simple fact that one number comes after the other is an important factor in the child\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
Let the child count to 10 and then backwards, from 10 to one.<\/p>\n
Let your child deal ordinary playing cards to a number of players.<\/p>\n
The repetition teaches children to count accurately without using their fingers or paper.<\/p>\n
Throw a dice and let your child count out the number on the dice.<\/p>\n
You can later use two dice when it becomes easy to count to six.<\/p>\n
Use a known number of coins and keep a few in your hand to hide them.<\/p>\n
Place the other coins on the table.<\/p>\n
Your child must then count how many he sees and how many you have hidden in your hand.<\/p>\n
Write a number between one and 100 on a piece of paper and hide it.<\/p>\n
Your child must guess what the number is.<\/p>\n
When he guesses, guide him with the words, \u201cmore\u201d or \u201cless\u201d.<\/p>\n
Write down the numbers one to 12 on pieces of paper, one for you and one for your child.<\/p>\n
Take turns to throw the dice and cross out the number on the dice on the paper.<\/p>\n
The first one to cross out all 12 numbers wins.<\/p>\n
This teaches your child how to count to 12 and to recognise numbers.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Other articles you may be interested in:<\/p>\n