Parents’ own emotions and experiences surrounding mathematics will have a huge impact on their own child’s learning potential.
Mathematics is a subject in which many parents feel uncertain in how they can support their children. With the increased focus on mental calculation strategies and the changing methods of written calculation, it is vital that parents are kept well informed in ways in which they can help their children at home. This information needs to be clear and practical in order to strengthen the confidence of parents who are uncertain of their ability to assist their children with mathematics.
Many parents may have a negative view of mathematics based on past experience. It may be a subject in which they lack confidence. Schools can provide support systems and activities to encourage and assist parents with helping their children at home.
As the Williams Review recently noted ..."the United Kingdom is still one of the few advanced nations where it is socially acceptable – fashionable, even – to profess an inability to cope with the subject." Parents may feel more comfortable saying to their children " Don't worry I couldn't do maths either ..." whereas they would rarely be heard saying " Don't worry, I couldn't read either..."
What teachers and schools do is crucial. Parents are much more likely to assist with their children’s learning if suitable activities and support are provided. With schools and parents working together, pupil learning can be enhanced.
Depending upon your Key Stage ....
As a school, produce written guidance on how parents can support children with maths at home showing, for example, expanded calculation methods.
Send out a termly newsletter outlining maths themes and opportunities for support at home.
Use a maths diary to set up continuous dialogue.
Run maths workshops with themes to demonstrate mental calculation strategies etc to support parents' subject knowledge.
Set up a maths games library and sessions where parents can make/play games with their children with support from school staff.
Invite parents into maths lessons.
Set up maths trails in school or in the environment for parents to do with their children.
A group of teachers worked together to explore how home school links could be improved as part of an action research group. A survey was designed and sent out to the parents at each school to ascertain how well parents felt they were supported in helping their children with maths.
From the results of the survey, each teacher decided upon a project that would enhance home/ school relationships in mathematics.
The projects worked upon included
- A Maths Trail in school and one around the local community involving parents.
- A Parent Handbook with guidance on expanded methods
- A Parents Handbook with ideas for games and activities at home
- Target Leaflets illustrating next steps for pupils and supporting activities at home
- Setting up a Maths Games Library
Each teacher's experience of setting up their project area and the resources used were shared with teachers in other schools in the Local Authority.