8 Simple Tips to Improve Your Child’s Math & Science Skills

Math and science are the only two subjects about which parents feel worried. The reason being if a child performs well in these two subjects, he will excel in his studies, will score better in board exams, and eventually in competitive exams and life. If a child fails to perform well, then he feels that math and science are not his cup of tea.
What we need to remember here is that almost all children are good at math and science; the only reason why children fail to learn them is because they have not been taught in the correct manner.

1. Start from the Ground Up

Mathematics follows a sequence of steps. The weaker the first step, the worse subsequent steps become. A student who cannot understand fractions will fail at algebra, while a student who does not understand ratios will be unable to grasp physics numericals.
Take a couple of weeks to refresh your concepts and review past topics such as multiplication tables, percentages, and equations. You might think you're going back but in reality, you're moving ahead.

2.Asking Why is Better than Asking What

A student who merely memorizes formulas will forget them. A student who understands how the formula was derived can construct it again even while writing a test paper.
Motivate your child to explain the idea in his/her own way. When they explain the topic to you, then they understand it themselves. Ask such questions in science: “Why does ice float?” “Why do we see lightning before hearing thunder?”

3.Practice a Little Each Day

Cramming doesn’t help in math. It’s just like playing a sport or playing an instrument – little practice helps more than one big practice right before the test.
Practice for about 30 to 45 minutes each day, mixing easy, moderate, and difficult problems to develop speed and confidence simultaneously. Maintain a journal of mistakes and review it once a week. Most children make the same five or six mistakes repeatedly, and recognizing them is half the battle.

4.Making Science Relevant

Science becomes boring if it is confined to the book only. Help your kid see the science in the world surrounding them:

• The working of a pressure cooker
• The functioning of a refrigerator
• Formation of monsoon
• Working of soap on grease

All of this can be achieved through simple experiments at home, science museums, and documentaries. Science coaching in Santacruz will help make science interesting.

5.Encourage Questions

The primary reason why students fail to learn is because of lingering questions that have not been asked. The young mind could be too shy to ask questions in class, leaving the question lingering in silence to become an eventual gap.
Create a conducive environment at home where there is freedom to ask questions. Avoid responding with “This is so simple” or “You should know this already.” Appreciate the effort of questioning. An inquisitive child is a growing one.

6.Practice Exam Skills, Not Just Teaching the Subjects

There are many instances where students are aware of the answer, yet end up losing marks. This happens because of exam techniques. Help your child practice:

• Reading the question before answering
• Writing the process in math step by step to avoid losing marks
• Drawing clear diagrams with labels in science
• Time management in the entire test
• Saving the last ten minutes for revision

Practice solving past year and sample papers in a time-bound manner to make your child familiar with the exam experience.

7.Choose Good Coaching, Not All Coaching

Some children require more than just home coaching, and it is completely natural. Parents have their lives to manage, syllabi are very tough, and certain topics need a teacher’s intervention. This is where a good coaching can make the difference.

While choosing the best math and science coaching in Santacruz, don’t just go by the advertisement. It is better if you understand the method of coaching. The families living in the western part of the city usually prefer math and science coaching in Santacruz as it saves their time and energy and makes sure that their child remains fresh for studies. Some parents seek math coaching in Santacruz especially for their children who face problems in numbers and mathematics.

8.Protect Your Child’s Self-Assurance

This could be one of the most critical pieces of advice. A child who says to themselves, “I’m bad at mathematics,” will stay away from it, which means that poor performance is inevitable. A child who says, “I can do better by working hard,” will continue working.

Acknowledge any success – better grades, solving a complicated equation, providing an answer. Try not to compare your child with other kids in class or in the family. Students learn differently and slowly but steadily is better than perfectly.

Do not ignore any signs of stress in your child’s behavior: lack of sleep, anxiety, reluctance to study from their textbooks. It could simply mean that less pressure, shorter sessions or another way of presenting the material is required.

A Simple Routine for Every Week Your Child Could Follow

If you're looking for something to try out, here's a simple routine that suits many children:

Monday-Friday: 30 to 45 minutes for math, 20 to 30 minutes of science study or revision
Saturday: One practice test and analysis of any errors made
Sunday: Some revision, some interesting science activity, and rest

It all depends on your child's timetable and energy levels. Consistency is the key here.

Final Thoughts

Being good at mathematics and science is not something that needs genius-like abilities. It is about having solid fundamentals, frequent practice, great explanation, and conducive surroundings. Just combine good study habits at home with proper help from outside – be it your teacher at school or math and science coaching in Mumbai for your kid, the results are bound to show.

Take baby steps, be patient, and know that your confidence will build up with every problem solved. Math and science can be the favorite subjects for your kid.