Is your child scared of maths tests? Don’t worry. Your child is not alone. Children are often most nervous before math tests. They are not just scared of numbers but are also scared of being judged. As a parent, you play a very important role in making your child confident. Here are a few tips that will help your child face the math test and pass with flying colours.
Children often feel the pressure to perform as well as their peers. Let your child understand that this is just an exam. Even if they don’t get an ‘A+’ you will still love them as much. You will notice that your child will perform better and will take more interest in numbers when they no longer have to compete.
Numbers are scary for most kids (it sure was for me!). Find fun ways to teach mathematics to children. Math games are definitely one way to go. Let them count the number of candies they have on their plate. Or let them count their crayons as they add them to the crayon box. Can they count their Lego bricks before putting them away? How many Lego bricks did they have to add to make their castle or plane? This will also help them prepare for math exams without the fear of failure.
Children today spend a lot of time online. Instead of taking away their gadgets, why not help them learn online? Math games for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade[ is easily available. Find the game that meets your child’s learning need. Make sure you purchase from reliable sources instead of having to spend money on ads.
Since math is a subject of fixed answers, children are often scared of giving the wrong answer. Let children know that it’s alright to make mistakes. You only learn more when you make mistakes. Maths is not about memorising; its about understanding. Encourage your children to understand where they made the mistake and why instead of scolding them for wrong answers. The more a child feels comfortable with mistakes, the easier it becomes for them to understand the problems.
Maths is not history where memorising the answers will help. Encourage your child to go to the basics of math problems. How do addition and subtraction work? Why is counting numbers important? Educational math games can be a fun way of teaching children the basics.
A math exam is a one-time thing. But numbers are all around us. Once children realise that they are using maths all the time, they will feel more relaxed in an exam. One good grade or one bad grade is a passing thing. What is most important is for children to understand the need for mathematics in life. This will make sure that they don’t see it as just a school subject, but take an actual interest.
What are your tips to help your child prepare for that math exam? Share with us in the comments below.
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