Research shows that a child's goals for and beliefs about learning are

related to his or her performance in mathematics. Even if you as a parent

are not good in mathematics or perhaps feel uncomfortable with the

mathematics being taught in a given day's lesson, you can still support

your child's mathematics learning by showing you value mathematics.

To find out more about what you can do to ensure your child succeeds

in mathematics, review the findings and recommendations of the

National Mathematics Advisory Panel (see resources).

helpingyourchild

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learn mathematics

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activity

Children learn by doing. They try new ideas and challenge old ones. But this

learning does not just happen in school. You can help your child learn by

providing him or her with safe, interesting learning experiences in a supportive

atmosphere. Below is an example of such an activity.

Find it (preschool–kindergarten)

Young children may not recognize that numbers are all around them. Pointing

out numbers on everyday items increases their “number sense,” and lets them

know that numbers are important and are used for many different purposes.

What you need:

✪Boxes,

✪Cans and bottles of food, and

✪Other household supplies.

What to do:

✪Place several boxes, cans, and bottles on the kitchen table. You might use a

cereal box, a can of soup, and a bottle of dishwashing soap. Sit with your

child and point out one or two numbers on each item.

✪Point to one of the items and say a number that is easy to see. Ask your

child to find it. Then have him or her look for that number on the other items.

✪Have your child choose a number for you to find on one of the containers.

tips for parents

You can help your child learn mathematics by offering insights into how to

approach the subject. Your child will develop more confidence in his or her

abilities by understanding the following points:

✪ Problems can be solved in different ways. Although most mathematics

problems have only one answer, there may be many ways to get that answer.

✪ Wrong answers sometimes can be useful. Analyzing wrong answers can help

your child understand the concepts underlying a problem and learn to apply

reasoning skills to arrive at the correct answer.

✪ Being able to do mathematics in your head is important. Mathematics is not

restricted to pencil and paper activities. Doing mathematics in your head

(“mental math”) is a valuable skill that comes in handy when making quick

calculations in stores, restaurants, or gas stations. Let your child know that by

using mental math, his or her mathematics skills will become stronger.

✪ It is sometimes okay to use a calculator to solve mathematics problems. Let

your child know that to use calculators correctly and most efficiently, he or she

will need a strong foundation in mathematics.

resources

This brochure was drawn from the larger booklet in the Helping Your Child

series, “Helping Your Child Learn Mathematics,” which provides tips,

resources, and fun activities that parents can use with children from

preschool age through fifth grade to strengthen their mathematics skills and

build positive attitudes toward mathematics. For more information on how

you can help your child learn mathematics—along with a wide range of

other subjects—visit the Helping Your Child series Web site at

www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/hyc.html.

Searching for more information on how you can help your child learn

mathematics? Take a look at the following resources from the U.S.

Department of Education and other organizations:

U.S. Department of Education: www.ed.gov or 1-800-USA-LEARN

The National Mathematics Advisory Panel: www.ed.gov/mathpanel

The Parents Portal: www.ed.gov/parents/landing.jhtml

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE):

www.ed.gov/free/index.html

Parental Information and Resource Centers:

www.ed.gov/programs/pirc/index.html

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics:

www.nctm.org/resources/families.aspx

NOTE: This document contains information about and from public and private entities and

organizations for the reader’s information. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by

the U.S. Department of Education of any entity, organization, products or services offered or

views expressed. This publication also contains hyperlinks and URLs created and

maintained by outside organizations and are provided for the reader’s convenience.

The Department is not responsible for the accuracy of information found in them.

Helping children to appreciate and master mathematics is more

important today than ever before. An increasingly technological

world demands strong mathematical skills for the workforce and

everyday life, and these demands will increase in the future.

Research has shown that children are more likely to be successful

in mathematics and other academic subjects when parents actively

support their learning. To ensure that children are on track for

success in school, college, and the workforce, parents must become

involved early and stay involved throughout their children’s school

years. This involvement can help reinforce children’s skills and

positive attitude toward mathematics.

Parents also can do many things in everyday situations that can help

their children learn to solve problems and develop reasoning

abilities, which are fundamental skills for learning mathematics.

Simple routines such as grocery shopping and doing laundry can

become learning experiences.

The No Child Left Behind Act, the national effort to improve

education, recognizes that it is vital for children to master the core

academic subjects like mathematics if they are to perform to the highest

standards of achievement. This brochure is based on the Helping

Your Child series of publications for parents and families, which is

designed to provide parents with the latest research and practical

information to help them support their children and ensure their

children’s success in school and in life.

You've got to know math if you're going to compete in this 21stcentury world.

—President George W. Bush

A parent is a child’s first and most important teacher, which is

why the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 recognizes parents’

vital role in education.

—Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings

U.S. Department of Education