7 Simple Ways to Engage Kids with Maths

Mathematics demands the active participation of students. Continuous practice is the core of doing well in this subject. There are some students who find it hard to navigate through this subject. The solution to this is to make your kids engage in Maths from the very start of their academics. It is one of the most important subjects that is going to help them in and out of the classroom.

And if you can make the subject of mathematics fun for your children, they can actively participate in it and learn something valuable. There are various ways to answer the question of how to engage kids with maths. This blog presents you with a number of fun ways to do it. Keep reading and see if your child finds reasons to love maths.

How to Engage a Child in Math: 7 Simple Techniques to Apply

1. Apply lessons in real life.

Children can complain that they do not get to use Maths in real life. However, you can show how Maths is used in real life and help them develop a liking for the subject. Here are some ideas on how to inspire children to incorporate Maths lessons in real life:

Involve children in shopping and show them how to use addition, subtraction, percentage, etc.
Play board games like Monopoly. Playing Monopoly helps kids get better at math because they learn to count money, make deals, and plan strategies to buy properties. It’s like a fun math lesson that teaches important skills like adding, subtracting, and understanding how money works in real life.
Teach them how to cook, and they have to apply the concepts of counting, measuring, etc.
Ask them shopping-based maths problems to teach them how money works.

2. Use real objects

You can use various maths tools to help your child understand abstract concepts better. Here’s how:

Use prisms, spheres, cubes, and other shapes to teach them geometry.
Use the abacus for number sense and counting.
Use pizza or a loaf of bread to teach them fractions.
Use small objects like rocks, buttons, and Legos to teach them pattern-making.
Use flashcards for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.

3. Ask interesting questions

You have to tie your lesson ideas to your child’s curiosity. Word problems are an excellent way to do so. Here are some examples:

Amir has 3 cats and 7 dogs. Vihaan has 3 cats and 8 dogs. How many dogs are there in all?
Vishal was playing basketball. He made five throws, and only one got in. How many shots did Vishal miss?
Shakti had 10 pieces of gum. She wanted to give each of her friends two pieces of gum. But there was not enough gum for all. She went to the store and bought four more pieces of gum. How many friends does Shakti have?

4. Gamify math

If you gamify maths or incorporate maths games, it can create excitement and curiosity in a child. Kids can play maths games online or in person. This will make maths fun and engaging. Here are some maths games a kid should try:

Maths Bingo: Number Recognition
Maths Solitaire: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
Sudoku: Number sorting
Proof: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square roots

5. Use modern technology

There are ways technology can broaden perspectives and offer new ways to engage with maths. Here are a few examples:

Narayana’s nLearn App: Narayana’s interactive online learning platform, nLearn, is a great way for your kids to play maths games. With exciting games such as sequence, series, measurements, and simple maths, your children will not only have fun but will also learn through them.
LogicLike: This app offers children a unique experience that is engaging and interactive, making abstract concepts easy to understand.
The Maths Learning Centre offers free apps that enable children to discover and nurture their mathematical ability and competence.

6. Integrate Maths with other subjects

It can take some out-of-the-box thinking, but you can integrate maths with other subjects and make it more interesting for kids. Here are some ideas to get started:

History: Write a report on how various cultures told time in a specific time period.
Geography: Calculate the distance between various locations, such as cities and states. Science: Track the temperature or weather and create a bar graph.
Language arts: Write an explanation for solutions to a maths problem.

7. Add in some physical movement

Teaching techniques that get children moving also work well for many. You can try some of the techniques below:

A scavenger hunt for patterns and geometric shapes.
Acting out geometrical shapes or their parameters by jumping.
Acting out skits on maths concepts

By enhancing your children’s mathematical skills, you are opening doors to lots of career opportunities, as Maths is important in both science and commerce streams. Through these 7 easy ways to engage kids in maths, the aim is that kids find the subject enjoyable and interesting, unlocking the potential for problem-solving and critical thinking. Together, let’s pave the way for a future generation that not only excels in Maths but embraces it with enthusiasm and confidence.

Stay informed with the latest updates and expert insights on various topics. Join our Telegram channel to receive valuable content.