How to Motivate Your Child in Math: Unlocking the Fun and Potential of Math Learning

If your child dislikes math, they aren't alone. While some kids do enjoy math, it's not uncommon for children to say they hate math or feel unmotivated to do it. However, solving problems using math skills is crucial in daily life - something not all of us realize unless we struggle in mathematics. For example, kids need an understanding of math to learn how to use and manage money. You want to set your child up for success, which can create a sincere dilemma for parents. So, what can you do to motivate a child - especially if they hate math? There are things you can do.

In this article, we'll discuss potential reasons your child doesn't like math. Then, we'll go over how to motivate a child in math and how Joon can help.

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Why Doesn't My Child Like Math?

Some students find math more difficult than others. A parent or teacher can identify a range of potential reasons that may make math a challenge for kids. Here are some possible causes:

• ADHD symptoms. Trouble with memory, lack of focus, and other symptoms of ADHD can make math activities tough for kids.
• Dyscalculia. It is estimated that 3-7% of kids, teens, and adults have Dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects a person's ability to do math. Accommodations for the condition and extra can help.
• It does not feel engaging or interesting. Using strategies that make math more fun or that involve kids in the curriculum more (e.g., hands-on learning activities) can help with this.
• Gravitating toward other subjects. Some kids simply enjoy or understand some subjects more easily than others.

Many people grow to dislike math partially because they fear it; it becomes so difficult and frustrating that a child simply starts to avoid it or feels nervous when presented with a math problem. Now, what can you do?

How To Motivate A Child In Math

While math is a common challenge, parents can help motivate their children and make math more fun. Here are some tips and strategies parents can use to aid motivation in kids who dislike or struggle with math.

Try Joon To Help

Joon is a to-do app for kids that doubles as a game. Geared towards kids ages 6-12+, Joon acts as a reward system, encourages motivation, and helps kids complete important tasks like math homework, lessons, or chores. Here's how it works:

Parents install the Joon Parent App first and make a custom task list for their children. You can add unlimited tasks and activities, including school assignments, learning time, or any other part of your child's routine. Kids use a separate app called Joon Pet Game. When kids complete tasks, they get rewards for taking care of a virtual pet and move forward in the game.

90% of kids who use Joon finish all the tasks parents assign, and many users say it's improved their parent-child relationship. Joon is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in the App Store, with over 4k reviews. 

Click here to try it for free.

Praise their effort

Praise your child for their effort rather than getting the right answer. That way, you encourage confidence and learning but avoid instilling perfectionism, a lack of patience for understanding math concepts, or a fear of getting things wrong. This might look like thanking your child for sticking to a homework routine, praising their patience in the learning process (e.g., "I know it's hard to stay patient when learning math. I’m so impressed by your patience, and you are doing a great job!"), or anything else that will increase their confidence in learning.

Identify progress

When parents and teachers identify progress, it can increase a child's motivation to continue learning. Point out small marks of progress and celebrate them. Listen to your child if they say they don't understand, forgot how to do it, or express that they're still confused.

Be organized

Organization can aid learning and motivation in more than one way. A clear homework space can support mental clarity and reduce distractions while learning, so keep it clean and organized. Thinking about how to organize tasks can be just as helpful as organizing your child's physical space. Create a schedule with frequent breaks when teaching math to your children so they don't get overwhelmed.

Do fun math games

Math games are perfect for kids who hate math, struggle with learning math, or do not feel self-motivated when working on math at school. Because kids enjoy and gravitate toward games, they’re more apt to feel an intrinsic motivation to learn math problems while playing. You can find math learning games for PC online, or you can use app-based math games. Non-electronic learning games (e.g., board games that use math) are another option. There are math games that explore everything from simple counting, addition, and subtraction to multiplication tables, algebra, and more.

Do math in everyday life

Using math in real-life situations is a perfect way to incorporate math into your child's day and help them learn in a way that feels natural. This can be helpful for any child but can be particularly beneficial for kids who don't feel motivated or feel that they sincerely hate math.

For example, parents might teach their child math concepts when:

• There’s a sale at the store. Let's say that everything is 30% or 50% off. You can teach your child how to figure out the final sale price in that scenario.
• You need to leave a tip at a restaurant. Similar to working out sale prices, deciding on the amount of money to leave as a tip is a perfect opportunity to talk about percentages and fractions.
• You’re cooking or baking together. Cooking with your child is a low-stress opportunity to teach them math skills and other necessary life skills.

These are only some ideas for parents teaching math skills to kids through daily life activities. Younger children who are learning to count may benefit from counting objects, and there are many situations in life when people need and use math without realizing it. Look out for opportunities to encourage math skills organically.

Get excited

The way you present math problems can be very helpful for some kids. Develop an approach to math that is light-hearted and fun. Try to reduce pressure and explain math with interest and excitement. This can be particularly advantageous if used alongside other strategies, such as games or using math in daily life.

Takeaway 

Many children find that math is their most challenging subject in school. While it is limited, there has been some research on how to make math more engaging and less stressful. Approaching math in a different way and using the right tips, tools, or strategies can help kids who have a hard time with mathematics feel more motivated. Kids with Dyscalculia may benefit from accommodations. Extra support from a tutor can also be helpful for kids who continue to struggle, regardless of the reason.