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Top Tips to help your child with Maths

At North Town we believe that enjoying Maths leads to children’s
success in Maths. We understand parents sometimes feel more confident helping with
Reading or Spellings so here are some quick and easy ideas if you would like to help your
child with Maths.

Top tip Just 5 minutes with Mum or Dad, (Grandparents and other adult carers
included) can be more valuable to your child than leaving them to play the game alone or
with siblings. We invite you to take the Maths Challenge! Can you find 2 or 3 times in your
busy week to play these Maths games? They could make all the difference.

5 minute games that can make your child a more confident and successful Mathematician

1. Counting games

Top tip Always link counting with an action. Throwing and catching a beanbag or small
teddy to each other, while counting, is ideal. The rhythm of the action gives the counting
pace and fluency and builds confidence. Other ideas include:-
kicking a football to each other, while counting
rolling marbles to each other (good rainy day alternative)
blowing bubbles and popping them as you count
skipping/walking/marching and counting (good for times tables)
throwing and catching a ball or frizbee
dropping pennies into a money box/dish (older children counting in 5p’s, 2p’s, or 10p’s)
For younger children start with counting forward in ones to 10, 20, 50, 100 etc.
Play What comes next? “11, 12, what comes next?” Take it in turns to ask.
For older children start with counting forward in tens, two’s and fives, extending to include
all the times tables to 12.
Play What comes next? “5, 10, 15, 20, what comes next?”
Or “77, 88, 99, what comes next?” Take it in turns to ask.
Top tip Start counting from different numbers, not always zero or one. Can you
count on from 12? Can you count in 7’s from 35? (Have a times tables chart handy!)

2. Counting backwards

Top tip Always link counting with an action. See above
It sounds obvious but many of us forget to teach our children this vital skill at home. Start
with “10, 9, 8, …. 0”. Then count back from 15, 20, 50 and 100, extending to random
numbers in between e.g. 27, 49 etc.
Play What comes next? “88, 87, 86, what comes next?” Take it in turns to ask.
Older children need to practise counting backwards in tens, two’s and fives, extending to
include all the times tables to 12.
Play What comes next? “80, 70, 60, what comes next?”
Or “84, 77, 70, 63, what comes next?”
Top tip Remember to let your child set questions for you too; this greatly extends learning
and confidence.

3. Dice games

Top tip Start with one die, to practise counting, then move on to two dice. Playing with two
dice is brilliant for practising rapid recall of number bonds, adding numbers again and
again without realising they are doing any Maths. If it is fun, children will be keen to play.
In year 2 some children make ‘Slides and Ladders’ games to bring home and play with
you. Perhaps you have one in the back of a cupboard? If so, you may like to play the more
advanced versions of the game, now your child is older. Otherwise, use Snakes and
Ladders, Ludo or any other dice game where you can use 2 dice.
Basic principles of ‘Slides and Ladders’
The game can be played by 2 or more people. You can use 1 or 2 dice and vary the rules
as you wish. Playing with 2 dice improves children’s ability to add numbers together
quickly. Speaking about the numbers you land on helps children to know how to say
numbers correctly e.g. many children mix up ‘17’ and ‘70’ and other ‘teen’ and ‘ty’ numbers.
Discussing where you may land improves children’s awareness of number patterns, e.g. if
you throw 10, you are actually moving down to the square directly below. You could talk
about why this is so. I expect you will find many other number patterns to chat about,
which is great for your child’s mathematical understanding and use of mathematical
vocabulary.
Variations (more advanced)
 Use 3 dice and add together
 Use 2 dice but subtract or multiply the numbers.
 Choose whether to use +, -, x or divide, depending on the numbers you throw!
Other dice and money themed games, such as Monopoly are also great for Maths skills,
but will take longer than 5 minutes – you can always set a time limit for a game, e.g. 30
minutes to make it fit in with busy family life.

4. Addition Dominoes

 Explain that we are playing dominoes a special way today. (Some children will have
played a version at home, others associate it with knocking down rows of dominoes).
“Today we are going to think about adding numbers”.
 Spread out the dominoes face down on the table. Each player takes 7 pieces and
places them in front of them, face up. Ask if anyone has a double. Double 6 starts, if
nobody has this, double 5, then double 4 etc.
 Once the first tile is placed centrally, model the language, e.g. “Double 5 is 10 and
half of 10 is 5.” Point to both sides, then cover one side as you say this.
 Moving clockwise, the next player must find a matching piece e.g. 5 and 4. Model
the language, “5 add 4 equals ?”
Top tip If no-one knows, model counting on i.e. putting your finger on the 5, saying “5…”
then pointing to each dot on the other side, saying “6, 7, 8, 9,”
 Encourage children to say the right pattern of language and to touch the tiles,
pointing to dots etc.
 If you are more confident in another language, Maths games can be played in home
languages too. Children who understand concepts in one language can transfer them later.

 

5. Everyday tasks

Top tip As well as making special time for playing Maths games at home many families
use everyday tasks to teach their children Maths skills. You have probably done this
yourself already, but here are a few ideas or reminders:-
 Pairing socks and putting them away gives younger children a great opportunity for
counting in two’s.
 Cooking and baking are opportunities to talk about weighing and measuring
ingredients. Estimating quantities is excellent training for all ages.
 Older children enjoy estimating the length of short journeys, check the mileometer,
everyone in the car makes an estimate, winner gets to set the next challenge.

6. “Fizz Buzz!”
This is a fantastic game for all ages! There are many different versions but this is how I
usually start.
Top tip First play “Fizz!”
A game for 2 or more players, count round in a circle, each person says a number. When
you reach a multiple of 5, the person must say “Fizz!” instead.
Eg. “1,” “2,” “3,” “4,” “Fizz!” “6,” “7,” “8,” “9,” “Fizz!” “11, “12,” etc.
When someone makes a mistake they are out. The last person left in is the winner.
Top tip Next play Buzz
A game for 2 or more players, count round in a circle, each person says a number. When
you reach a multiple of 3, the person must say “Buzz!” instead.
Eg. “1,” “2,” “Buzz!” “4,” “5,” “Buzz!” “7,” “8,” “Buzz!” “10 “11, “Buzz!” etc.
When someone makes a mistake they are out. The last person left in is the winner.
Now play “Fizz Buzz!” ie. Combine the two.
“1,” “2,” “Buzz!” “4,” “Fizz!” “Buzz!” “7,” “8,” “Buzz!” “Fizz!” “11, “Buzz!” “13,” “14”
“Fizz Buzz!” (because 15 is a multiple of 5 and 3,) “16,” “17,” etc.
Older children play using the times tables they are working on. eg. Fizz = 6, Buzz = 7
Challenge: Play “Fizz Buzz!” backwards, counting down from a chosen number!