Make Math Fun: Games to Play that Improve Mathematic Skills

Memorizing doubles weather it is for addition or multiplication makes other problems easier. If your child knows 5+5=10 then he can easily figure out 5+6=11. On the same hand 5*5=25 makes 5*6 easier to see.

Practice, Practice, Practice

There is no replacement for practicing math facts. That is why every math book is filled with math problems. Just like any other subject the more that we use it the better we know it. Using the skill of adding, and multiplying does not have to mean sitting down at a desk and answering problems all day. Matter of fact, we learn best in short intervals and while having fun.

Use Many Learning Styles

One thing that I do with my son is to cover a few math facts with the flash cards then have him do those problems on paper a few times. Using the same problems that he just worked on builds confidence in his math skills. I also allow a short break to run, do a few exercises, or ride his bike. Then cover the same problems once more. This time we may use buttons or crayons to quickly make this a hands-on lesson.

After that there is only review. 3 different ways of learning are used. You can do it with either the counting objects first or use the cards first, but I would not give the work sheet first. Putting the written part second or last shows him what he has learned. Always end on a positive note.

Other Visual Aids

Flash cards are great, but do not limit yourself just to flash cards. You can also use number charts, crayons or even rocks from outside. Sometimes we would go outside and pick up acorns. I would pick up a few and so would he. Holding both our hands out we would make a math problem with the acorns. Another very helpful hint that I learned was in using a ten set. This is either made from ice cube trays cut off or pieces of paper with lines. See the picture for details. The ten set works wonderfully being that you can see how many are in the set at just a glance.

Video-describing - ten set

Play Games (Make Math Fun)

There are so many games that you can play. Math is in practically everything that we do. Measuring rice and flour, comparing gas prices and the list goes on. A few games that encourage adding are:

Hop scotch with a twist. Hop on the first number and add that next number to the first. Remember that number and add it to the next number that you hop onto. Older children can keep going up and up. Younger children can start over when they reach ten or twenty.

Memory: Make math flash cards for the problems being learned. Also, use the same cards to make cards for the answers. Mix the cards, the problems and answers together. Spread them out on a table and play memory. Make matches with the problems and their answers. Ex. 2+2 and 4 would be a match.

Smiley: Use your memory card problems and their answers. Add 2 cards with smiley faces drawn on them. All cards will look alike from the back. This game is played very similar to memory except that when you get to a smiley face you leave it face up. Also, when both smiley faces are up then your child says, "Smile" and the game is over.

To use this game for addition simply replace the number cards with addition facts and their answers will be the match.

Run the Number: This is a game that can include the family pet, exercise and math fun. Make number cards for answers to math problems. You can use the memory cards and answers that you made. Now you either place the answers out in the yard or down the hall. We do this outside. Hold up a problem and have your child run to the answer. We run and pet the dog once and then to the answer. We all love it including the dog. Sometimes I play as well. It gets a little exercise into my day.

Another option is to hold up the math problem. Instruct your child to run to your pet and back to you. When they get back they will choose the correct answer from 2 choices you hold up.

Sometimes It Just Takes You

A big page of problems can look intimidating to a young child. My son looked at a page of problems and asked if he could go onto a different subject. Instead I sat down with him and we did the problems together using the ice cube tray ten set. This worked out wonderful. The best part is that he smiled saying that it was fun. Sometimes the difference between boring and fun is you. Make math fun now so that it will be easier later.