Mathematics Strategies
for Parents to Use at
Home
If America is going to stay the best
place to do business in the world, we
must have the best math students.
—Margaret Spellings
Former U. S. Secretary of Education
Mathematics Strategies
› Have your child count down the time (weeks, days and
hours) to a special day or holiday.
› Have your child measure ingredients for a recipe you are
making.
Mathematics Strategies
› Ask your child to count the change at the grocery store,
or to estimate the total cost while you are shopping.
› Explain what you’re doing whenever you use a measuring
tape, a scale, or a ruler. Ask for your child’s help.
Mathematics Strategies
› Look for shapes and patterns in real life.
› Ask your child to explain the math skills he or she is
working on in the school.
Mathematics Strategies
› Ask your child to explain how he/she got to the answer of
specific math problem.
› Find appropriate number and problem-solving games to
play online.
Mathematics Strategies
› Play card or board games with your child that involve
counting or patterns.
› Use dice or playing cards to make a game out practicing
math facts.
Mathematics Strategies
› Compare:
Which is
Which is
Which is
Which is
Which is
Which is
taller or the tallest?
heavier or the heaviest?
longer or the longest?
smaller or the smallest?
faster or the fastest?
the less expensive or most expensive?
Math Online Resources
Math Homework Tips for Parents- U.S. Department of Education
https://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/homework/part_pg4.html
Helping Your Child Learn Mathematics- U.S. Department of Education
https://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/math/index.html
Math Tips for Parents
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/math/math-tips-for-parents/
Strategies for Learning Math Facts
http://hanlonmath.com/pdfFiles/244StrategiesforFactsBH.pdf
Math Strategies for Parents
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning-disabilities/types/mathematics/math-strategies/
Math.com Advice for Parents
http://www.math.com/parents/advice.html
Math Online Resources (Continued)
Great Kids Milestones Math Videos (free online collection of videos aimed at helping parents and
guardians understand grade-level expectations in kindergarten through grade five).
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/category/milestones-subjects/math/
Parents Supporting Mathematics Learning Video (In this video, teachers and administrators give advice to
parents and guardians supporting their child's learning in math [video #7 in the list]).
http://www.nctm.org/Standards-and-Positions/Common-Core-State-Standards/Teaching-and-LearningMathematics-with-the-Common-Core/#7
Council of Great City Schools - Parent Roadmaps to the Common Core Standards- Mathematics (
http://www.cgcs.org/Page/244
Early Math Matters: A Guide for Parents of Preschoolers
http://www.getreadytoread.org/early-learning-childhood-basics/early-math/early-math-matters-aguide-for-parents-of-preschoolers
Using Fact Family Math Mats
http://www.mathwire.com/strategies/matsff.html
Strategies Packet for Parents and Students for Improving Reading, Writing and Mathematics
https://reports05.nwea.org/nwea/help/DRS_Inst_Strat.pdf