A solid grasp of functional maths is vital for
managing day-to-day finances and accessing educational and work opportunities.
(It’s not just accountants and bankers who need to be confident with numbers.
Many jobs, from nurse to builder, chef and estate agent, require good numeracy
skills.)
The good news for parents is that they don’t need to
be experts at algebra or trigonometry to get their child started with maths. It
just takes a bit of time and a sense of fun. Here are four top tips.
1) Play games
Dominoes, checkers, chess and Uno help improve number and
pattern recognition, while dice games like Yahtzee are a great way to practise
calculations. And then, of course, there’s that old favourite, Monopoly, which
will give your child a crash course in maths, banking, property management and
conflict resolution.
2) Bake
Whipping up a batch of cupcakes or cookies is an excellent way
for children to learn about counting, measuring and time. And they can enjoy
eating the fruits of their labours afterwards.
3) Shop
A trip to the corner shop can be a great learning opportunity.
Compare products and prices and talk about which items represent the best
value. When it comes to paying, use cash. Explain how much you’re handing over
and the change you expect in return. When your child is old enough, let them
handle the coins and notes themselves; they’ll revel in their newfound sense of
responsibility.
4) Trade
Have a stall at a school fair or car boot sale – and get your
child involved. Encourage them to sell toys or clothes they no longer want and let
them decide on the pricing.
From all of us here at Cooke & Co Estate and
Letting Agents, thanks for reading.
* Number Day is an initiative of the National
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
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