So, your child is homeschooled, and while everything seems to be going well, they aren’t doing so well at math. You’re worried about their performance and wondering how best to help your kid. Should you find a math tutor to provide private classes or are there other ways you can improve a child’s math skills? In this article, we will be looking at some proven strategies to teach math to your homeschooler.
Why Is My Homeschooled Child Struggling with Math?
Before exploring effective math teaching methods, let’s find out why a kid might be struggling with the subject. Here are some of the most common reasons:
1) Lack of Understanding
If your child is struggling with math, they may not fully understand the concepts they’re being taught. The reason may be lack of instruction or explanation. There is also a chance that a child simply needs more time to grasp the concept.
2) Learning Style
Every child has a different learning style, and some kids may struggle because of traditional teaching methods. If your kid has difficulties studying math, they may need a different approach to learning. For example, some children may benefit from hands-on learning or visual aids. Ideally, you can find a math tutor who will approach your kid individually.
3) Curriculum Mismatch
The math curriculum you’ve chosen may not be the best fit for your child’s learning needs. There are many different math programs available, and some may be better suited to your child’s learning style and abilities than others.
4) Lack of Practice
Math is a subject that requires regular practice. If your child is struggling with math, they may not get enough practice. Make sure your kid has plenty of opportunities to practice math skills, both during lessons and in real-life situations.
5) Math Anxiety
Some children may not like math because they feel anxious or overwhelmed by the subject. This is not unusual. About 93 percent of Americans have some form of math anxiety. This can be especially true if one had negative experiences with math in the past.
6) Learning Disabilities
If your child still finds math complicated despite your best efforts to help them, they may have a learning disability such as dyscalculia. In this case, it’s important to seek a professional evaluation and get the support and resources your child needs to succeed.
Strategies to Teach Math to Homeschooled Kids
Here are some effective math teaching strategies to help your homeschooled child:
1) Use Real-Life Examples
Math can be a challenging subject for children, but you can make it easier for them by using real-life examples. This approach involves creating a scenario that illustrates the math concept you want to teach. For example, imagine that you and your child are at the grocery store, and you need to add up the cost of the items in your cart. This way, you can teach them addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
2) Make it Interactive
Instead of just lecturing your child, make math more interactive by incorporating games, puzzles, and other activities. You can use online games to teach fractions, geometry, and other math concepts. For example, if your child is learning addition, you can use an online game like Robot Addition that requires them to add numbers to progress through the levels.
3) Encourage Critical Thinking
Encourage your child to think critically by asking open-ended questions that require them to think deeply. Instead of simply giving your kid a math problem to solve, ask them questions that will require critical thinking. For example, instead of asking, “What is 2 + 2?” ask, “Can you think of two different ways to make four?” or “What other numbers can you add together to get four?”
4) Use Visual Aids
Visual aids can make math more tangible and less abstract for children. You can use manipulatives such as blocks, dice, and cards to help your child understand math concepts better. But while virtual aids can be an excellent supplement to your teaching, they should not replace it entirely. Use virtual aids to reinforce concepts that you have already explained to your child.
5) Create a Supportive Learning Environment
Creating a supportive learning environment is crucial in helping your child succeed in math. You can achieve this goal by creating a schedule, setting achievable goals, and providing regular feedback. Also, set up a quiet and comfortable space in your home that is dedicated to learning math. This could be a desk or a table with all the necessary learning materials at hand. Positive reinforcement can also be a powerful motivator for your child. Offer praise for their achievements and celebrate their progress along the way.
6) Personalize Learning
Each child learns differently, and it is essential to tailor your teaching to their learning style. For example, if your child is a visual learner, you can use charts, diagrams, and graphs to explain math concepts. Before you start teaching math, you need to know where your child stands. Give an assessment test or use a math curriculum diagnostic tool to evaluate your kid’s strengths and weaknesses. Based on this information, you can determine what topics need more focus and what topics your child already understands.
7) Break it Down
Break down complex math problems into smaller, more manageable portions. This approach will help your child to better understand the problem and find a solution. For example, when solving a long division problem, teach a kid to break it down into smaller parts. You can start by introducing foundational concepts and building on them. This might involve teaching basic addition and subtraction before moving on to more complex mathematical concepts.
Should You Hire an Online Private Math Teacher?
Sometimes, it’s not about the strategy. Teaching kids requires patience, and some parents simply don’t have that time. In this case, it’s best to get homeschool math help. In fact, many homeschooling families find that online tutoring or instruction can be a great way to supplement their child’s education.
An online private math teacher can provide personalized instruction that is tailored to your child’s learning style and pace. They can also help fill any gaps in your child’s knowledge and provide additional challenges for those who are excelling.
But when hiring an online private math teacher, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re choosing someone qualified and experienced in teaching math. Look for tutors who have experience teaching students of your child’s level and those who can provide references or testimonials from other satisfied clients.
Better still, you can employ the help of online math learning websites that offer one-on-one private lessons to kids.
These websites often provide interactive and engaging content that makes learning math more enjoyable.
They also offer personalized learning experiences, where the content adapts to each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Hence, they will choose a math curriculum that aligns with your child’s learning goals.
Final Thoughts
Teaching math to a homeschooled child can seem daunting at first, but with the right strategies, it can be a rewarding and successful experience for both parents and a child.
In addition to the above mentioned teaching strategies in mathematics, take breaks when necessary to encourage your child throughout the learning process. And if your kid is not learning as fast as you hope, give them time. By implementing these strategies, you can help your youngster develop a strong foundation in math and prepare them for success in their academic and professional endeavors.
