| It's no secret that kids often learn better by playing | | | | half of eighty six. |
| games and having fun. This can be particularly true in | | | | Halving is the same as dividing by two. So "fifty eight |
| the scary world of mathematics, where "fun" is not a | | | | halved"means "fifty eight divided by two". Either way, |
| word commonly heard. | | | | the answer comes to twenty nine. |
| And yet math games are a proven way to help | | | | Start the game with even single-digits like "four" or |
| children enjoy math - and learn the subject more | | | | six". |
| effectively. | | | | Once your child is comfortable and getting the |
| Play is a wonderful teacher in itself, allowing kids to | | | | correct answers, you can progress to double digit |
| relax and use their imagination. Plus any learning that | | | | numbers. |
| takes place away from the pressure of math class | | | | With these, start with easier numbers like "forty six". |
| and the exam hall is always beneficial. | | | | Here you'll notice both digits are even numbers, which |
| The problem for parents, however, is how to choose | | | | make halving easier. |
| the right math games. After all, you're probably not a | | | | Then move onto numbers where the first digit is an |
| math teacher. You may not even be great at math | | | | odd number, like in "thirty two" or "ninety six". |
| yourself. | | | | #3 "Rapid Fire" |
| Fear not. Math games don't have to be complicated. | | | | In this game, you shout out some single digits. Your |
| In fact the simpler, the better. | | | | child adds them up and gives you the final answer. |
| Here are three simple games to get you started: | | | | For example, you say "Three... Five... Four." |
| #1 - "At The Double" | | | | Your child adds them up mentally and shouts out the |
| When you play this game, simply tell your child to | | | | answer "twelve". |
| double a number. The game is: you shout out a | | | | In this game, begin with two single digits which add |
| number, and your child replies with the answer. | | | | up to less than ten. Examples are "four plus five" and |
| You say "seven". Your child should reply "fourteen". | | | | "three plus two". |
| You say "twenty six" and your child replies "fifty | | | | Easy sums like these let your child warm up. You can |
| two". | | | | then progress to sums like "eight plus seven" and |
| Doubling is the same as multiplying by two. So if | | | | "five plus nine" where the numbers add up to ten or |
| you're asked what's fifteen doubled, you would say | | | | more. |
| thirty. (Because fifteen multiplied by two is thirty.) | | | | Once your child develops confidence at this level, |
| Naturally you want to start at an easy level. So begin | | | | move on to three digits, like "five... eight... nine". |
| with single digits like "four" or "seven". | | | | And then four digits.. five digits... six digits.. but don't |
| Once your child consistently gets the correct answer, | | | | push your child too hard! |
| then move up to double digits, like "fourteen" or | | | | The great advantage of this game is that your kid |
| "twenty six". | | | | develops confidence and improves mental math skills |
| #2 "Half Time" | | | | -the ability to solve math problems without a |
| Similar to the doubling game, this one goes in the | | | | calculator or paper and pencil. |
| opposite direction by cutting a number in half. | | | | As always with math, keep the games short and |
| Again, you select a number and your child gives the | | | | simple. A few minutes at the dining table or while |
| answer. | | | | waiting in the car can help your child develop math |
| For example, suppose you choose "eighty six". | | | | skills the natural way, and even come to realize that |
| Your child replies with "forty three", which is exactly | | | | math truly can be fun! |