If your student struggles in math class, there’s a chance it could be because of the strategies or theory used to teach math.
Although children might learn a math concept, the information might not “stick.” That is, the child may soon forget what she learned.
Enhancing the learning experience for a student with innovative ways and methods, such as providing learning on computers and tablets, makes learning more fun, resulting in increased retention of concepts and a deeper understanding.
Here are some tips and tricks that can help make learning math more fun and remember the information so it can be used when needed in the future.
1. Songs
Song lyrics can be easy to remember because music reinforces words. Turning math facts into a song can help your child remember the facts and develop better fluency – at least long enough to transfer from short-term to long-term memory.
Another bonus to songs is that kids don’t get tired of hearing or singing them over and over again. In fact, that’s kind of the point of a song – to listen to it over and over again!
2. Mnemonics
A mnemonic is a saying that corresponds to a set of facts that needs to be memorized. Mnemonics help some kids learn math facts, while others don’t seem to remember the mnemonic any better than the facts themselves. One common mnemonic is “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally,” which helps kids remember the order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction.
3. Games
Games are a great way to practice various operations so that they are mastered and remembered. These games can be online, board games, or card games.
For example, Monopoly is great for adding and subtracting larger numbers. Some card games can also help learn math facts. If you find the right games, kids may not even realize that they are having fun and learning!
