Top Tips to Home School Your Child in Math(s)

Maybe you’ve decided that homeschooling is the right path for your child to achieve a good education. Of course you may well be right and your intentions good. But have you thought about how this education might look? There are so many ways to promote good learning and it is important that you are clued up on what works vs. what doesn’t. Below we have focussed on Maths specific tips for homeschooling but some of these can be applied to other subjects.

Tip 1 – Look at the National Curriculum

The National Curriculum is an evidence-based document outlining the different aspects of Maths that children should know by a certain age. It is a good way of tracking your child’s progress against the criteria if that’s the way you want to go. If nothing else, it might give you some ideas for what to teach.

If you are thinking of home schooling your child for a specific period, say primary only, the National Curriculum can also provide a guide as to what a child ought to be able to do and know by the time they start secondary school.

Tip 2 – Build a library of resources

It is not essential to have a huge library of resources but you do want to find a few that you like. Textbooks and activity books vary drastically, so spend the time reading them before purchasing or talking to teachers about which books provide explanations and examples in a clear way. A good clue is that if it is difficult for you to understand the explanation in a text, your child will also. But don’t be afraid to branch away from the text and use them primarily to advance your own understanding and build your lessons. You may also want to invest in a large whiteboard. Your child will find it much easier to follow your lessons. Don’t be afraid to use a variety of colours! Studies have shown this has a direct link to memory retention.

Tip 3 – Create a positive learning space

Where possible, try and create a positive learning space away from distractions. For example, if your child enjoys watching TV then the front room is a no-go area. You want your child to associate the space where they work with ‘school time’. This has the advantage of allowing them to associate other areas with ‘free-time’ just like most children would when they get home from a day at school. Let your child input into the layout of the work-space so that it is inviting!

Tip 4 – Create a long-term plan

The easiest way to create a long-term learning plan is to break down study into months (so you can see what you may cover in a school year). Decide which units you want to cover each month and then break these down into weeks. At this point you will have a better idea of how many days/weeks a unit may take by associated each day with one topic from the unit. This will take some work, so don’t worry when you have to go back to adjust your plans.

Tip 5 – Find a Maths Tutor

If you’re struggling with a particular topic or need extra help, consider hiring a maths tutor. Here at Owl Tutors, all tutors are qualified and experienced teachers.

A tutor can help your child understand difficult concepts and work through problems step-by-step. Additionally, they can provide personalised feedback and support that may not be possible in a homeschool setting.

Tip 6 – Be flexible with your time

Your child may find some topics easier than others. If you’ve set an hour aside for Maths make sure it is productive. If a topic is understood quickly, avoid drilling them with questions to fill the time you set aside. Likewise, don’t stop when they are just starting to understand something. You want the child to finish a lesson having had a chance to apply their understanding and have some success.

Tip 7 – Decide on activities

Avoid assigning extensive drilling and busywork. This will not help your child retain how to perform a maths operation. Instead use questions on previously covered topics as starters at the beginning of your lesson for no more than 5 minutes as a refresher. Plan for deeper investigation through projects and assignments. Linking these to careers will help them relate maths to the real world. You can do this as one topic or by combining a few topics. For example: have your child design elevations and/or create a model of a building during a measurements unit.

Tip 8 – Have them teach you

Instead of assigning more written work, give your child a chance to teach you what they have learned. Teaching is one of the best forms of learning and will more easily help you identify any misunderstandings that need to be reviewed.

Tip 9 – Reward good work

Set aside time at the end of each lesson for a fun maths activity, particularly if your child has worked well. This can be a great motivational tool that brings out the best in them during the lesson. Have a look online for inspiration and let your child have some say in this too. In our experience, children love quickfire games to test their speed or problem solving activities. 

Tip 10 – Use a Variety of Resources

There are many resources available online for homeschool maths, such as Khan Academy, Mathletics and IXL Maths. 

These programmes offer interactive lessons and practice problems that can help students build their skills. Use a combination of these resources to keep your child engaged and motivated. 

Additionally, make use of textbooks and workbooks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Tip 11 – Establish a Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to helping homeschoolers with maths. Establish a routine that includes regular maths practice, and stick to it. 

Decide on a regular time of day for maths lessons, and make sure your child knows what is expected of them. Creating a routine will also help your child develop discipline and time management skills.

Tip 12 – Set Achievable Goals

It’s important to set achievable goals for your child when it comes to homeschool maths. This can help them feel motivated and accomplished as they progress through the curriculum. 

Start with small, attainable goals and gradually increase the difficulty level as your child becomes more confident. This will also help your child develop a sense of ownership and responsibility over their learning.

Tip 13 – Incorporate Games

Maths games can make learning fun and engaging. Incorporate games like Sudoku, chess or logic puzzles into your homeschool maths curriculum. 

This will help your child develop problem-solving skills and boost their confidence in maths. Additionally, games can provide a break from traditional learning methods and keep your child engaged.

Tip 14 – Encourage a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset can help students approach maths with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Encourage your child to embrace challenges and view mistakes as opportunities for growth. 

Celebrate their efforts and progress rather than just their achievements. This will help your child develop resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

Tip 15 – Stay Positive

Finally, it’s important to stay positive and supportive throughout the learning process. 

Encourage your child’s efforts and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Be patient and understanding, and avoid criticism or negative feedback.

Final Thoughts

Let’s wrap up, learning maths in a homeschool setting can be challenging, but with the right tools and strategies, students can excel and develop a love for the subject. 

By creating a dedicated workspace, using a variety of resources, establishing a routine, finding a maths tutor, setting achievable goals, using real-life examples, breaking down complex problems, encouraging a growth mindset, incorporating games and staying positive and supportive, homeschoolers can achieve success in maths. 

Remember, each child is unique, and it’s important to find the strategies that work best for them. With patience, dedication and a positive attitude, students can develop a lifelong love of learning and achieve success in maths.

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