If you want to improve your child’s ability to do maths so they’re better prepared in high school, teach them to estimate. According to maths guru, Associate Professor Janette Bobis from Sydney University, kids who can estimate have a good sense of numbers.
So things like:
how long the backyard is? (length)
how heavy one-quarter of a partially used a packet of flour might weigh? (mass)
how many jellybeans will fit into the jar? (capacity)
how much the petrol will cost if half a tank is needed? (multiplication and capacity)
“It’s all to do with reasonable judgements and the more a child understands maths the better they are at making estimates” Janette says.
I’ve been interviewing great teachers and educators on their best tips to help mums and dads with their kids’ learning. They’ll be published soon on a new website called My School Kids.
