Positively Maths

25/07/2022

Does your child lack confidence in their maths ability? Do you wish your child had more resilience, confidence and enthusiasm for maths?

As a parent, there are lots of ways you help your child build maths confidence to develop a positive mindset and become resilient by using these simple strategies.

If you would like some quick and easy strategies to implement to help your child become more maths confidence, read the article below.

https://www.confidence121.com/how-to-build-maths-confidence/

11/07/2022

Does your child have maths confidence?
For me, as a tutor, building confidence in maths is THE most important aspect of my role. Children who have maths confidence are more resilient and motivated. They are more prepared to try something tricky or challenging and actually enjoy the challenge. Children who have maths confidence are not scared of making mistakes because they know that it is part of their learning process.
As a parent, you can help your child build maths confidence. Speak to your child about their learning journey, talk about times in the past when they found something difficult and how they find it now. Encourage your child to try, even if it means making mistakes - mistakes are expected and show your child what they haven't learnt, yet.
If you would like to know more about maths confidence, drop me a message. I would love to hear from you.

07/07/2022

Today is World Chocolate Day! Why not celebrate with your child by doing some baking?

Did you know that baking involves so many maths skills and is a fun and enjoyable way for you to support your child to build maths confidence. This blog post covers some of the maths skills used in baking and examples of questions you can ask your child.

I'd love to hear what you and your child bake! Let me know in the comments.

Baking is a fun and enjoyable activity for your child to experience maths in real life and build maths confidence.

05/07/2022

Rain, rain, will it ever go away?

This chart is a fantastic example of how maths that my students learn in school and often struggle to see its relevance has been applied to our current situation, comparing the amount of rain we are currently having this year with historical data. It is true, this year has been exceptionally wet!

If your child has learnt about averages, then why not show them this graph and ask them what they notice, what do they wonder? You could have a discussion about which chart is easiest to understand? Why do they think the data has been presented this way?

To see further graphs, click on the link https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/datablog/ng-interactive/2022/jul/05/nsw-floods-july-2022-map-sydney-flood-charts-eastern-australia-record-rainfall-interactive-flooding

03/05/2022

Does your child show any of these when they are faced with maths?

You may have noticed that your child often complains that they have a headache or tummy ache but there is no obvious reason why. Maybe you have taken to the doctors and still have no explanation. They don't seem to be ill, have no fever but the symptoms are real.

Headaches and tummy aches are common symptoms of maths anxiety along with sweating, increased heart rate and biting nails. Your child may not even know they have maths anxiety but their body could well be showing the symptoms.

It is important to talk with your child and see how they feel about maths. Luckily, help is at hand if your child does have maths anxiety. I have some free tips that you are welcome to look at and try. Drop me a message and I'll send them through.

02/05/2022

Being a tutor really is the best job in the world! Not only do I get to meet some amazing kids, but I have the privilege to ride alongside their learning journey. When I get a message from a parent about how my tutoring has given their child confidence and a new found enthusiasm for learning, I am so happy!
If you would like some tips on how to help your child with maths so that they can regain their confidence, drop me a message - I'd love to hear from you.

29/04/2022

If your child is struggling with their maths, you may be interested in reading this article. It gives some great information about signs to look for in your child, or maybe you recognise yourself, to see whether they may have dyscalculia. There is still a huge lack of awareness about dyscalculia, especially in Australia but it is good to see steps being taken to get the word out. If you suspect your child may have dyscalculia, there are different ways of teaching your child maths so they can succeed.

‘Children with dyscalculia lack basic number sense, which affects every aspect of their ability to process numbers including performing arithmetic operations, understanding fractions and algebra.’ Rachel Parker, Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Council for Educational Research, gives an....

27/04/2022

Is your child struggling with maths and lacking confidence?

I used this book to carry out an informal assessment of a new student. At first, I thought, this seems very basic, I'm sure the student can do this but actually this wasn't the case. Yes, the assessment started very basic, which meant that my student felt confident from the beginning. However, I soon discovered that counting backwards from 10 was challenging and took a lot of effort - something I would have assumed the student could do.

If your child is struggling with their maths, carrying out an informal assessment of what they can and can't do, can be the starting point to changing their maths journey. All maths builds on its foundations and if the foundations aren't secure, then your child will struggle until those foundations are strengthened.

If you would like to find out more about how you can help your child with their maths, drop me a message. I would love to help.

26/04/2022

Does your teenager do worse in Maths exams than you think they should? If so, they could be suffering from maths anxiety.

One place that maths anxiety often appears is during tests and exams. Your child has good grades in their classwork, appears to be understanding all the work but when it comes to exams, their mark is a lot lower. Immediately, they feel demoralised and that they 'can't do maths'.

Luckily, there are several ways to help combat maths anxiety.
The night before the exam, ask your child to write down their greatest fears about the test and what would be the absolute worst thing that could happen. Talk to them about these and what they could do if the worst was to happen. This helps to alleviate their fears and it is also unlikely that the absolute worst will happen.

Remind your child that when they are in their exam, they don't have to answer the questions in the order on the paper. Encourage them to find a question they are confident with and do that one first. Then they will be able to find other questions that they can do.

If you would like to find out more about how you can support your child with their maths and learn other techniques to help them please drop me a message. I'd love to be able to help.

26/04/2022

Does your young child struggle to understand maths because it is too abstract?

I am about to start working with a couple of new students who are currently learning to add and subtract within 20. They are both working using objects rather than working abstractly. Thinking about different ways to help them, while encouraging number talk and discussion, I thought that using the rekenrek with them could help. As with all my students, I want to have the focus on building confidence and understanding so am checking out possible games that I can use with the rekenrek in my teaching.

If your child is struggling with maths, it may be that they have moved from concrete learning to abstract learning too quickly. Using a range of manipulatives, including a rekenrek, could help them with their understanding.

If you would like to find out further information about how using manipulatives can help your child have a positive maths experience, then I would love to hear from you.