Helping a child who hates maths

Quick answer

Learning outcome

• You can find one fun maths game or real-life example to try with your child
• You understand how to make maths feel less scary and more enjoyable
• You can spot when your child feels discouraged and know how to respond
• You know how to celebrate small maths wins to build confidence

Why this matters

How it works

1. Using games and play to make maths feel fun
2. Connecting maths to everyday life so they see its value
3. Starting with small, achievable goals to build confidence
4. Encouraging effort, not just correct answers
5. Helping them see that making mistakes is part of learning

Examples you can see

• Game example: Play a game where you count how many steps it takes to walk from the kitchen to the living room. Each time you play, try to count in a different way – maybe by jumping, hopping, or using a timer.
• Real-life example: When baking, let your child help measure ingredients. They can count how many cups of flour they use or notice that 2 cups of sugar make a sweet mixture. This shows that maths is useful and fun!
• Small win example: If your child can count to 10, celebrate that. If they can count to 20, that’s a big win! Don’t wait until they can do multiplication to praise them. Celebrate the progress.

Try it as a mini adventure

1. First clue: “Find 3 things in your room that are red.” (Counting)
2. Second clue: “Draw 4 circles.” (Drawing and counting)
3. Third clue: “How many legs do 2 cats have?” (Repeated addition)
4. Fourth clue: “If you have 5 toy cars and your friend gives you 3 more, how many do you have?” (Addition)
5. Fifth clue: “Count the number of tiles on the floor from your bedroom to the kitchen.” (Measuring)

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that if a child doesn’t get the right answer, they must be bad at maths. Why it happens: Parents might focus only on getting the right answer. Fix: Celebrate effort and the process, not just the final answer.
• Mistake: Giving up on a child’s maths struggles. Why it happens: It can be frustrating when a child doesn’t understand. Fix: Try a new approach or game. Keep trying with patience.
• Mistake: Comparing your child to others. Why it happens: It can make a child feel like they’re not good enough. Fix: Focus on your child’s progress, not how they compare to others.
• Mistake: Saying, “You’re so good at maths!” after one correct answer. Why it happens: This can make a child afraid to try harder. Fix: Say, “You worked really hard on that!” or “That was a great try!”

Parent and carer guide

1. Find one fun maths game or real-life activity to do together (like counting steps or measuring ingredients).
2. Notice when your child gets frustrated or says, “I can’t do maths!” and say, “That’s okay – let’s try a different way.”
3. Give praise for effort, not just results. For example, “You kept trying even when it was hard.”
4. Ask questions like, “How many do you think there are?” or “What happens if we add one more?”
5. Don’t give up if your child doesn’t understand at first. Keep trying with different methods.

Practice questions

1. Which of these is a good way to help a child who hates maths?
   • Only praise correct answers
   • Try a new game or activity if they don’t understand
   • Compare them to other children
   • Give up if they don’t get it the first time
   Answer: Try a new game or activity if they don’t understand
2. Why is it important to celebrate small wins in maths?
   • It makes children feel proud and encourages them to try more
   • It helps them get better at maths faster
   • It makes them feel like they are smarter
   • It helps them avoid making mistakes
   Answer: It makes children feel proud and encourages them to try more
3. Which of these is a real-life example of maths?
   • Counting how many cookies you eat
   • Measuring ingredients when baking
   • Adding up the number of cars in the street
   • All of the above
   Answer: All of the above
4. What should you say when your child gets frustrated with maths?
   • “You’re so bad at maths!”
   • “It’s okay – let’s try a different way.”
   • “You must be smart enough to do it.”
   • “Why can’t you get it?”
   Answer: “It’s okay – let’s try a different way.”
5. How can you show that maths is fun and useful?
   • Only play games with numbers
   • Use real-life examples like cooking or counting
   • Make sure they get all the answers right
   • Don’t let them make mistakes
   Answer: Use real-life examples like cooking or counting

FAQ

Why does my child hate maths?

Children may hate maths because they feel scared, discouraged, or overwhelmed. It could be because they’ve had a bad experience, or because they think they’re not good at it. Sometimes, they might not see how maths connects to their daily life.

How can I make maths feel less scary?

Try using games, stories, and everyday activities to show how maths is useful. Focus on effort, not just results. Let your child know that making mistakes is part of learning and that it's okay to try again.

What should I do if my child says they hate maths?

Listen to them and try to understand why. Ask what makes them feel scared or frustrated. Then, try a new approach – maybe a game, a story, or a hands-on activity – to help them see maths in a new light.

Can games really help with maths?

Yes! Games make maths fun and less stressful. When children play, they are exploring and learning without pressure. Whether it's counting steps, sorting toys, or playing board games, games help build maths skills naturally.

How can I help my child build confidence in maths?

Start with small wins and celebrate effort, not just results. Try different ways to explain a concept, and always encourage your child to try again. Let them know that it's okay to be confused or to make mistakes – that’s how they learn.