Here at Doodle, we know that maths is about so much more than answering questions. It develops critical thinking skills, helps us to better understand the world around us and, most importantly, helps learners develop growth mindsets.
So, to celebrate Maths Week London and its mission to spark a love of mathematics, we take a look at how you can inspire any child to develop a love of the greatest subject of them all: maths!
1. Be a positive role model
Our own attitudes towards maths play an important role in how children perceive the subject. If the thought of Pythagoras’ theorem is enough to bring you out in a cold sweat, it’s quite likely your outlook may rub off onto those around you!
So, the next time you speak about maths, try to emphasise the fun of the challenge rather than how difficult it is. Using lots of positive language and rewarding your child for their hard work is another great way to reinforce a positive approach towards their learning.
2. Use real-world maths activities
Encouraging children to be hands-on in their learning is a great way to bring to life key concepts and show how maths can be used outside of school.
From baking tasty treats to becoming a shopkeeper, we’ve got lots of ideas for maths activities you can enjoy at home or in school.
3. Ask maths riddles
The next time you’re on a walk or having breakfast, why not pose a riddle? For example, you could ask:
- When Sarah was 12 years old, Violet was one-third of her age. If Sarah is currently 24 years old, how old is Violet?
- 23 sweets were shared between Thomas, Hannah and Kevin. Thomas ate twice as many sweets as Hannah, who ate 6 sweets. How many sweets did Kevin eat?
Riddles are a great way to prompt your child’s creative thinking and encourage them to think outside of the box.
4. Try different types of learning
Knowing what type of learner your child is can transform their experience of maths. By approaching problems in the right way, even the most tricky of topics can become an engaging and rewarding experience!
Not sure what type of learner your child is? Take our quiz to find out.
5. Take your learning outside
When the sun is shining, it’s only natural to head outside! Not only is outdoor learning proven to aid concentration, it’s also the perfect way to break down any negative associations children have with being in the classroom.
Looking for inspiration? Take a look at our top 10 outdoor maths activities, which are perfect for ages 4 to 14.
6. Play board games
You may have played Monopoly and Scrabble more times than you can count, but did you know that there are lots of board games dedicated entirely to maths?
With games specifically designed for all ages, they’re a fantastic way to add a new dimension of fun to your maths learning. Take a look at our favourite maths board games to get started!
7. Look at maths in the real world
From animators to pilots, lots of jobs use maths — sometimes in very unexpected ways!
Contextualising maths by looking at how it’s used outside of school is a great way to bring it to life. Most importantly, it can be really inspirational for children.
Why not take a look at our interviews with professionals who use maths every day in their roles?
8. Try DoodleMaths
Designed to be used for 10 minutes a day, DoodleMaths automatically fills the gaps in each child’s knowledge and consolidates what they already know, boosting their confidence in as little as six weeks! Download the app to try it for free today.
