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Original poster

DD (yr1) really struggling with mathematics

15 replies

nimbs · 06/07/2012 15:54

My DD is in year one and has been really struggling with mathematics all year - she has a lot additional help - and continues to work on her much more basic targets with them - my question is really how can I as her mum help her over the summer holidays so that she doesn't fall behind further, and can keep her confidence building? Things that she struggles with are adding on in her head - if she has objects (beads/smarties/numberline) she is fine, she finds subtraction tricky - and can with help find multiples of 10.

The other aspects of maths don't seem to phase her so much - ie time, shapes, weight/length etc - just the basics.

Any advice would be much appreciated thanks

OP posts:
Sittinginthesun · 06/07/2012 16:10

Only a mum, not a teacher, but I find board games brilliant. The children's monopoly is very good - lots of adding and subtracting - snakes and ladders, ludo etc. Just extend by showing how they can work out the move in their head first, before counting out on the board.

Original poster
nimbs · 06/07/2012 16:14

Fab idea - hadn't thought about board games - we do have lots - and with this wet weather def. will get them out thank you :)

OP posts:
wearymum200 · 06/07/2012 20:20

Add to that the card game uno, adding the scores at the end is really good for mental maths! Also money problems, have a play cafe/shop and let her work out costs and change. When it's a game, she may be far less unconfident as it's not "doing maths".

catchingzeds · 06/07/2012 20:24

There is a fab website, google ict games. Great resource for parents and teachers, my DS loves it.

catchingzeds · 06/07/2012 20:32

Wanted to add my DS hated math and had no confidence in himself at all, I started asking him really easy questions on the way to school and praising loads. Stepped it up little by little and I can't believe how fab he is doing now. He's in the top half of his class now and LOVES math.
It seemed to just suddenly click, board games certainly helped as did the website I just mentioned. As soon as he realised he could do it he relaxed.

SOTIRIA · 06/07/2012 20:53

There is a game called Bus Stop made by Orchard toys which is great. I play it with my DS. The bus picks up and drops off passengers up to 10 people. ie adding and subtracting to 10. I ask my DS to guess how many people will be on the bus and then check with the card pieces. Orchard do lots of other good ones.

Original poster
nimbs · 07/07/2012 09:01

fab thanks for some fab ideas - we have uno, and am off to investigate that bus stop game - and will try and do some questions on way to school etc - really appreciate it :)

OP posts:
Melmamma · 07/07/2012 12:02

We bought a "dart" game in one of the Poundshops, with Velcro balls instead of actual dart and a simplified board. Great for adding up and sneaky mental arithmatic practise (as well as accurate ball throwing). Best £2 spent in ages.

exoticfruits · 07/07/2012 12:14

The ICT games mentioned is here

PastSellByDate · 07/07/2012 13:52

Hi nimbs:

It sounds like you're looking for games ideas and can I suggest two things:

snakes and ladders - and you can roll the dice and practice adding them together before doing the moves. You can also play it backwards to practice subtraction.

Another easy game is to play 21 - lots of great counting skills there and crucial practice in adding numbers >10.

If you feel that there is a real need for more structured practice and explanation of the mechanics there are a lot of on-line tutorials in maths available out there. Several people on other mumsnet feeds have recommended Mathswhizz (www.whizz.com/) and mathletics (www.mathletics.co.uk/). My DD's have had great success with Mathsfactor (www.themathsfactor.com/) and I'm a huge fan. Mathsfactor does offer summer school on-line maths camps: (www.themathsfactor.com/summerschools/default.aspx).

Good luck with everything.

Original poster
nimbs · 07/07/2012 20:16

thank you so much - will have a look at all the websites later - I think she'll enjoy the combination of both games and pc so hopefully it wll help her.-

OP posts:
SOTIRIA · 09/07/2012 21:33

Thanks for the ICT link exotic fruit. It's fantastic. I will start using it with my DS asap.
I make some games as well. I draw a noughts and crosses grid for each player then write 5 numbers on the corners and centre which are the possible answers. Then throw the dice so if a 6 is thrown, the sum is 10-6, if a 3 is thrown its 10-3. This game can be changed to adds up to 5 or it can be much harder right up to all times tables. You use different sided dice. The player with all their numbers crossed off first is the winner. You can give easier options to some players depending on the answers you write on their grid. Sorry this sounds complicated, if you have a dice, you can set it up in minutes.

exoticfruits · 09/07/2012 21:52

Glad you liked it-it is the best that I have found for that age. As he gets older woodlands junior school maths zone is good.

PastSellByDate · 10/07/2012 13:30

absolutely agree with exotic - woodlands junior school maths zone is very useful and they support other areas of the curriculum - link to all curricula support here: www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/

also recommend Coxhoe primary school curriculum links: durham.schooljotter.com/coxhoe/Curriculum+Links/

exoticfruits · 10/07/2012 19:21

I would also agree with Coxhoe-which would be useful now -as it is a primary school whereas Woodlands is just juniors.

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