A maths project for kids can be a great way of keeping them entertained and learning. Whether it’s working out how much it costs to run a car, finding out the weight and size of a Lego toy, or calculating the cost of a trip to the shops – your child will enjoy every minute of their project. However, just how much fun is it really? In this article we will try to assess the fun involved in a project to see whether it is rewarding and whether it will help your child to improve their understanding of mathematics.
There are two key factors that affect the fun your child has with a new math task. Firstly, the fun is derived from your child’s interest and enthusiasm. If you’re having difficulty with a particular problem, then encourage them to look at another one. For example, if your child struggles with the sorting task then ask them to sort for the first time without the toy truck they are currently using. This will really get their attention and get them thinking differently about the sorting task.
The second factor is whether the tasks are challenging enough. Children often become frustrated at the more simple tasks because they lack real effort required to complete them. To really challenge your child, make sure they are presented with more than one option. If they have to choose between running the truck on the left and crossing the finish line on the right, offer them both options so that they feel they have more choices than just running!
Once you’ve found a great project, remember to make it interesting for your child. Don’t sit down and simply tell them to work it out. Let them choose their own fun activities that will entertain them, and be sure to use lots of clues and stickers. This will help to keep them interested.
When you begin, make sure your child knows exactly what they are doing. Give them lots of time to prepare and try things out. Give them an allowance, so that if they mess up, they know to be given a bonus so that they can try again. You may find that they are more interested in a particular game than others.
Another tip is to make sure the children understand why they are doing the activity and that they can relate it to real life. For example, if they are making a boat, explain how to build it and why and then ask them to give you their results for how well they have done. This will get them thinking about their future projects as well as their everyday life.
Finally, make sure you have some fun with your child afterwards. Most children enjoy doing things they are proud of and it will encourage them to do more in the future. Keep the prizes clean – the more you award, the better! You could even award your child with vouchers towards future assignments.
Overall, any project that motivates children and makes learning fun and interactive is likely to be a success. You may also find that your child is more involved and happy with the project than they would have been otherwise. There are plenty of ways to ensure that your child enjoys their project as much as you do. Try these tips out and you should be able to create a project that both you and your child will thoroughly enjoy.
Try making the project yourself. It is a great idea to sit down with your child and make sure that they understand the goals you have for them and the reasons why they need to complete it. Then, when you child is all ready to work on the project, go and show them what they need to do. This is especially important if you want your child to get behind the project, because showing them the work they need to do and explaining why it needs to be done will make it more fun for them.
Make sure that you praise your child enthusiastically when they complete a stage. Get all of your family involved in it. Have your child’s friends helping her out with a prize if she achieves a particular stage. Try and build up to the task being completed with lots of praise and rewards!
If you feel that your child may be having difficulty in particular areas, why not involve them in the whole project? Go along to teach your child, or maybe show them how you are working on it. You could also just spend some time doing the project with your child. Whatever you do, make sure that you are supportive of your child throughout the whole project, as they will need all of your help to complete it.