In South Africa, learners at lower grades are required to pass mathematics in order to proceed to the next grade.
Some parents are fortunate to have kids who adapt easily to mathematics while for some, mathematics is not a favourite subject in their household.
The Department of Basic Education states that progression from grade 1 to 6 will be determined by:
- Adequate achievement (Level 4) (50%-59%) in one official language at home language.
- Moderate achievement (Level 3) (40%-49%) in the second required official language at first additional language.
- Moderate achievement (Level 3) (40%-49%) in mathematics.
- For grade 4 to 6, a moderate achievement (Level 3) (40%-49%) in any other two (2) of the remaining approved subjects.
Studies show that if introduced early in form of activities and games around the household, it is easier for children to see fall involve with maths
As a parent there are ways to turn mathematics into a fun subject in your household and these include.
- Play games with your kids – Kids love to play and if you can get them to do that while learning, why not? Robert Berry, a mathematics professor at University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education and Human Development, shares that bond games such as ladders, chutes, dice and candy land can help kids “recognise quantities without having to count and decompose numbers.”
- Explore the internet – Technology affords us the ability to access all the information we need anywhere at any time. Lagos, Nigeria’s school owner and educator Bukola Adeyemo suggests you encourage your kids to watch videos and play games which incorporate maths on the internet.
- Remind them that maths is fun – When kids get to hear and see how exciting maths is it is easy for them to warm up to it, shares online publishing platform Medium. The information hub suggests parents, “Emphasise the excitement of working through a tough problem and the satisfaction of inching ever closer to finding the solution.”
- Reward milestones – Kids love to be recognised so when they do well on a school maths activity or a maths practice at home, a little reward may just be what they need to fall in love with numbers. Parents digital education support information hub Gradely adds the reward tactic may turn maths into your child’s favourite subject.
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