Can your child add and subtract numbers easily? If you answered no to that question, there is a good chance that your child has dyscalculia.
Children with dyscalculia have a difficult time learning math; it causes them stress and anxiety, and they find it difficult to understand these concepts. The good news is that there are plenty of things that you can do to help your child.
Keep reading to learn more about how to help a child with dyscalculia. Let’s get into it!
Contents
Play With Dominoes
Dominoes are ideal for this, as they involve basic mathematical strategies and counting skills. It’s important to make sure the game is enjoyable for the child. They can grow frustrated if it’s too challenging.
Start by having the child count the dominoes and recognize the number of dots on each. Then, play a game like matching the dominoes with the same number of dots or adding the dots to each pair of dominoes.
Resist Using Worksheets
Resist using worksheets is one of the dyscalculia interventions. Instead, ensure that the child has a strong understanding of mathematical concepts by providing hands-on activities.
This will allow tutors or parents to tap into their motivations. This can also help children develop a positive attitude towards mathematics. Working from the child’s strengths first will help identify the strategies that best help them make progress.
Use Manipulatives
Manipulatives should be used to support the teaching of mathematics to help the child understand the mathematics concept being taught. Manipulatives can be items such as a ruler, clock, cubes, and number lines.
Whilst using manipulatives, there should be an emphasis on the importance of the underlying mathematical concepts and facts behind manipulatives rather than just the manipulative itself. For example, when teaching about fractions, using a fraction strip can help a child understand fractions in terms of sizes, slices, or groups.
Learn the Language of Math
First and foremost, focus on teaching them the basic numerals. This should come along with the language that accompanies them. For example, teaching the child to say “four” when they see the numeral 4.
Secondly, when teaching a child with dyscalculia help, the language of math provides additional visuals. This is to help reinforce the new language, such as flashcards, visual models, and charts of various symbols used in math equations. Additionally, give the child plenty of opportunities to practice by writing down equations or using manipulatives to solve equations.
Personalize Learning Experiences
One of the most important things in helping a child with dyscalculia is to personalize learning experiences. This means accommodating their needs and providing resources that are tailored to them. This is specifically rather than ones that focus on a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
To do this, it’s important to understand and recognize how the child learns best and provide learning strategies that are tailored to those needs. It also means providing visual aids and resources to illustrate different concepts and utilizing multi-sensory learning to bridge the gap between abstract concepts and the concrete world.
Best Tips on How to Help a Child With Dyscalculia
On how to help a child with dyscalculia, the right resources, and strategies to provide support, your child can maintain progress.
Encourage them to use whatever resources and supports work best for them. Reach out to schools and other professionals who can help your child reach their potential. Take action today to improve your child’s learning environment.
Did you find this article helpful? Check the rest of our blog now!