While we’ve already discussed why children may struggle with Math and how parents can help them turn things around, it is normal for there to be a bit of resistance as improving one’s Math skills isn’t always the most fun. However, this doesn’t have to be the case, and parents can employ creative solutions to get around this innate problem. One such method of doing so is leveraging the use of math games for enrichment purposes, such that your child can learn in a fun and informal environment that they don’t mind partaking in on a daily basis.
Here are three cool math games that can help with your child’s enrichment:
1. Math Hopscotch
One way to help your child understand numbers is through the use of a classic math game that’s been around for decades – hopscotch. By drawing out a hopscotch grid on the ground with chalk and having your child throw a stone or beanbag onto different numbers, they can start to get a grasp of what each number represents.
After a few rounds, you can start to increase the complexity, such as having a five-by-five grid with numbers 1 to 25 randomly filling the squares. You can then follow any of the following variations of the game to make things more interesting:
- Basic Sequencing — get your child to hop on all numbers in increasing order from 1 to 10, then 1 to 15, 1 to 20, and finally, 1 to 25; do this in decreasing order as well, while making sure to stick to the same basic sequences.
- Odd/Even Numbers — get your child to hop on the odd and even numbers in order, then hop through all the numbers at the end while only using one-footed hops for all odd numbers and two-footed hops for all even numbers.
- Addition/Subtraction — get your child to hop onto any number they like, then give them instructions in terms of addition and subtraction and get them to hop onto the resultant number of the equation.
- Multiplication — hop through the times tables of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
2. Sidewalk Chalk Clock
This cool math game is a great way to help your child understand the concept of time and how to tell it. To get started, draw a simple clock face on the ground using chalk, with the hour hand pointing to 12 o’clock and the minute hand pointing to 6 o’clock. Get your child to stand next to the ‘12’, then have them spin around until the minute hand points to their left foot, which would be equivalent to 12:00.
After that, get them to move forward one big step for each hour that goes by — so two steps for 1:00, three steps for 2:00, and so on. For every half-hour mark, get them to do a small hop. Once they’ve reached the hour that you want them to, get them to stop and look at the minute hand — this would give them a good indication of what time it is.
You can then start to introduce different variations, such as:
- Telling time to the nearest 5 minutes
- Telling time in terms of ‘half past’, ‘quarter to’, and so on
- Using a 24-hour clock
3. Stacking Cups with Math Sums and Answers
This last math game is a great way to help your child understand basic arithmetic while also working on their fine motor skills. Get a bunch of small plastic cups and write simple math sums on each one, such as ‘1+1’, ‘2+2’, ‘3+3’, and so on. Write the answer to each sum on another cup and mix all the cups up.
Get your child to start by picking two cups — one with the sum and one with the answer. If they match, then they can put the two cups to the side. If not, then they need to put the sum cup back and pick another answer cup. The aim of the game is to be able to correctly match all the sum cups with their answers such that they collect enough cups to stack their cup tower.
As your child gets better at the game, you can start to increase the difficulty for a more fruitful Math enrichment session by:
- Having them do sums with bigger numbers, such as ‘5+5’ or ‘9+9’
- Having them do sums with different operations, such as subtraction or division
- Giving them a time limit in which they need to match all the sum cups with the correct answers
Enrol with MindChamps Enrichment to Further Cultivate Your Child’s Math Skills
While cool Math games can be helpful in setting the foundation, they cannot replace formal enrichment programmes and courses, due to the added effectiveness rigour can bring. Enrol your child with MindChamps today for Math enrichment classes in Singapore.
Find a MindChamps Enrichment Centre near you, and book a complimentary evaluation of your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses to get started.