Written By: Stephanie Dunaieff
Many students struggle with math. Math is a subject that needs to be reinforced often which can be boring. Here are some fun ways to incorporate math learning into everyday activities.
Time: Ask your child to figure out what time you will arrive at your destination. For example, if you are driving someone that should take 45 minutes and you leave at 2:30 ask you child what time you should arrive. You can also have your child calculate it the other way. Have them figure out what time you should leave to arrive to the destination on time. If you have to be somewhere at 5 and it takes 20 minutes to get there ask them what time you should leave.
Percent: Ask your child to calculate tip at a restaurant. You can have them calculate a tip of 15%, 20%, and 25%. You can do this by having them calculate 10% by moving the decimal point one place to the left. They can then find 5% by dividing 10% in half. They should then add the pieces together.
Money: Allow your child to pay for purchases at the store. Give your child some $1 bills, $5 bills, $10 bills, and $20 bills. Then allow them to figure out what to give the cashier. If you are at a restaurant and have more time you can also allow them to use coins or figure out multiple ways to pay. For example if the bill is $37, they can give two $20 bills, four $10 bills, one $20 bills, one $10 bill, one $5 bill, and two $1 bills, etc.
Basic Facts: As your child is learning addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division you can quiz them on basic facts. You can ask them while in the car, waiting for an extracurricular activity, during a meal, etc. These facts should be quick and easy like, 6+5, 23-11, 6 x 7, 24/2…
Identify Shapes: While your child is learning shapes you can have them identify or find certain shapes. You can ask your child what looks like a rectangular or a circle. A rectangular could be a menu, sign, or table. A circle could be a coaster or table. For older children you can ask about a cylinder like a glass or straw.
Patterns: You can have you child finish or create a pattern. You can create a pattern at a restaurant using the sugar, Splenda, and sweet and low packets, milk and half and half, or utensils.
