There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you don’t know something. In fact, it models a valuable trait for your child to develop. In that vein, help your student look for resources that can help them accomplish their work.
Problem: As a student, you didn’t make it past pre-calculus. As the years have gone by and the technology improves, you can barely multiply. Long division is long gone. Your child has reached these skills in their own education and need help with their homework. You pretend not to hear them when they ask for it.
Solution: I was describing myself there. I dread when my kindergartener is bringing home math that is either too complicated or has been forgotten. But it’s inevitable, and there are ways to help them without having to quickly take a bunch of Khan Academy courses:
- (Again) the effort is half the battle
- It’s not your homework
- Help hunt resources
- Establish a system, then let them walk you through it
- Point out math in the real world
(Again) the effort is half the battle
In last week’s article on English homework, I wrote about how the most important thing in the homework experience, aside from practicing important skills, is for the parent to show their support for their child. It helps build the relationship and might even form lasting memories. This is especially true if they know you dread math/English/science/whatever.
It’s not your homework
Perhaps in no other subject area than math do parents feel the need to drag their child right to the doorstep of the solution, if not do the work for them outright. This is obviously detrimental to the purpose of homework. It’s their job to do the work. Your job is to be a sounding board, if not a guide.
Help hunt resources
There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you don’t know something. In fact, it models a valuable trait for your child to develop. In that vein, help your student look for resources that can help them accomplish their work. It might be a simple YouTube video. If all else fails, check out the Homework Help page of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. They have a wealth of links to check out.
Establish a system, and then have them walk you through it
Above all else, math is orderly and logical. There is a process for almost every task. Last week we talked about how allowing the child to teach you is the best demonstration of knowledge and that applies for math as well. Have them explain the process, then walk you through the steps. If they have to cheat and look at their textbook, that’s ok. It still reinforces the skills.
Point out math in the real world
Finally, if you encounter math in your daily life, bring it up to your child. For many students, math is the quintessential “Where am I going to use this?” subject area. Make it an ongoing habit to show that even someone who doesn’t have to work in math runs into using those skills from time to time.