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I'm excited to share 18 practical and proven math tips that have not only enhanced concentration but also fueled a sense of confidence in my little learners.

From creating a focused study environment to incorporating engaging activities, this guide is filled with strategies that bring results without the need for any magic tricks. 🚀🔢

Ready to boost your child's math skills the real way? Let's delve into these game-changing tips together!!

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Happy reading! 😊

$Genius Math Tips Cover colorfull beads and little hands$ $Genius Math Tips Cover colorfull beads and little hands$

18 Genius Math Tips: Boost Concentration and Confidence in Kids

Before doing any math homework, help your child to be aware of their state or level of attention.

Ask him/her about:

His/her energy level (very restless or very calm),
Distractions (electronic devices, situations, etc.)
His/her mood (worried, anxious, overly excited).

7 Tips to improve concentration :

Perform intense physical activity (climb stairs or run) for 2 minutes.
Drink cold water or chew something crunchy (apple).
Breathe deeply in silence for 1 minute.
Decide the best working position: sitting or standing.
Play 5 minutes: riddles, tongue twisters, etc.
Chewing gum improves selective and sustained attention.
Manipulate a soft object (ball, balloon, rubber, etc).

Now that the child is ready to learn, the math homework can begin.

Engage your child's senses – sight, touch, hearing, and movement – to help them grasp the meaning behind numbers and symbols more easily.

5 multisensory techniques:

1. Using marbles, grains, or cereal to represent mathematical operations helps develop number sense and understand quantities.

2. Draw the math problems

Solve 4 x 5 by drawing 5 groups of 4 bananas.

3. Hear sounds

To obtain the multiples of 3, start tapping on the table with your fingers every time a number is said starting from the number 1.

Every third beat must be played louder: third, sixth, ninth, etc. Ask the child to write down on paper each time the number sounds louder. You can also use a musical instrument.

4. Use movement

Write the numbers on a big ball. Every time someone catches it, they must perform a mathematical operation with the 2 numbers closest to their hands.

5. Use Base 10 Material, like this one(link).

These are blocks of different sizes that represent 1000 (a “cube”), 100 (a “sheet”), 10 (a “bar”), and 1 (a “unit”).

Children can form numbers with them to identify place values.

For example, ask them to "build" the number 123 with blocks. The children will have to select:

a sheet of 100,
2 bars of 10 and
3 units of 1.

What to do when your child gets discouraged and says negative things like: "I'm stupid", or "I can't"?

What to do?

1. Be understanding and affectionate

Show empathy for your child's feelings and let them know that you are there for them.

2. Keep it real

Avoid exaggerated or emotional responses.

Acknowledge that the situation may be difficult, but emphasize that this does not mean that he/she is stupid.

3. Start a conversation

If the negative feedback persists or seems to pop up for no apparent reason, you can start a brief conversation to better understand what's going on.

4. Highlight your strengths

Reminding your child of her abilities and achievements in other areas, such as sports, art, or any activity she excels at, can help counter her feelings of inferiority.

5. Avoid comparisons

Don't make comparisons with siblings, friends, or other people. Focus on your child's specific feelings and frustrations rather than drawing attention to others.

6. Be wary of excessive praise

Although it is important to praise your child, try to keep the praise sincere and balanced.

Instead of praising general abilities, highlight specific efforts and achievements.

I hope some of these ideas can help your child feel more confident in his or her math skills.

If, despite many efforts to accompany children in math homework, you observe that they face significant difficulties, it is crucial to consult with your pediatrician and educators to rule out dyscalculia (read more here).

Some common signs of dyscalculia are:

trouble understanding quantity or concepts such as large vs. small,
difficulty associating the numeral 5 with the word "five" and understanding that both represent five items,
difficulty remembering math facts such as multiplication tables.
problems counting money, estimating time, judging speed or distance, understanding the logic behind math, and keeping numbers in mind while solving problems.

Recognizing these signs and seeking early support can make all the difference in each child's educational journey.