Math, Math - It's All Around You!

Practicing math facts and concepts is nothing new, but there are so many ways to practice besides flashcards. I thought I would share a few:

Let's Get Physical?  Do you have flashcards? Use them in different ways.

First, spread them around a room or the yard. Then, ask your child to skip, jump, hop, jump rope or use tin can stilts to reach them. At each card, they must say the equation aloud and solve it. Then, they can pick up the card and return to home.

Another use for flashcards is basketball. Head to the court or just use a small ball and trash can. Give the child a problem. If they solve it, they get a point AND can shoot a basket. If they get the basket, another point. If they miss the equation, no shot, but give them the answer and return the card into the pile to try again later.

No flashcards? Grab some post-its and write your own equations (maybe 6's?) and hide them around the room. It's time for Hide-and-Seek math. The child looks for post-its (mulit-aged children can have different colored post-its and look for them at the same time). In order to find the next, they must solve the equation they find accurately.

Artsy? 

If your child loves art, then practice math on the driveway with colored chalk. Give them a word problem (aka story problem, you are showing your age) and let them draw it out. Too many drawings? A quick spray with a spray bottle or watering can will clear the surface.

Use those old bath crayons to leave equations in the tub. Your child can solve them while bathing or even more fun, they can jump in the tub dressed and solve away!

Got an APP for that?

Sometimes technology is the place to go and there are great math apps and online games for math practice. Check out Everyday Math apps, as well as, sites like Multiplication.com for great resources.

Fun and Games?

Use 2 sets of flashcards or buy the pre-made game to play war with facts.

Some great games to support math are Sequence Numbers, SkipBo, Uno, Shut the Box, 7 Ate 9 and Rack-O. Strategy games are also terrific for folks of all ages. Try Blokus, Rummikub, Ticket to Ride, Othello and Wits & Wagers Family.

Do a search for dice games to find even more great ways to practice.

Don't forget to play store or let your kids spend real cash at the supermarket. Try letting them weigh the bananas and use a calculator to add up what you're spending. Get them involved in baking using the measuring cups. Real life math has the most impact!