- Learning math is challenging, but the right resources can make it easier for children and for parents who often need a refresher.
- There are handy learning tools to help you and your child master math concepts, from creating multiplication tables and drawing polygons to learning units of measurement.
- My years teaching math have made me grateful for these games and activities that make math more relatable.
- See more: 11 tools for online learning and educational toys and activities for elementary-age kids
I’ve been teaching second and third-graders mathematical problem solving for six years. In that time, I’ve learned that kids are more apt to enjoy math if they already have a strong foundation. Kids with a shaky foundation can get caught in a sort of negative loop. But that can be overcome with the right tools, resources, and activities.
Many studies have indicated that kids who are read to at home tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced literary skills than those who aren’t. The same is true with math: The more at-home work you and your child do together, the more confident they will be. But it can be tricky if you, the guardian, are not confident in math yourself.
To make things easier, we rounded up seven products to help you and your child with basic math skills – each one reinforces or teaches specific concepts.
Here are seven math resources for kids ages 7 to 13:
Good old-fashioned paper that will help your child think inside and outside the box
Five Star 100 count Graph Ruled Reinforced Filler Paper, available at Walmart, $3.55
Do not underestimate the power of simple graph paper. Everyone with school-age children should have a steady supply of this at home. You can use it to create your own multiplication tables. It's also great for visually showing how units of measurement and place values work, and as its name suggests, it's great for creating tables and graphs. Graph paper is also a handy tool for learning shapes and drawing polygons (2D shapes made with straight lines) and practicing area and perimeter problems.
A puzzle book that engages all parts of the brain
Puzzle Baron's Kids' Puzzles, available at Amazon, $11.36
This book is perfect for kids 8 to 11 years old who may be inclined to say they love reading but hate math. It features logic puzzles (essentially a word problem in math), crosswords, cryptograms, acrostics, word searches, and mazes, and will strengthen your kid's analytical and logical thinking.
A fun foundation-building math workbook because practice makes perfect
Beast Academy Workbooks, available at Beast Academy, $27
Beast Academy's practice and guide books include full curricula for kids ages 8 to 13. They're called "Beast Academy" because the books are illustrated like a graphic novel featuring different monster characters. I recommend these workbooks if you and your child are ready to commit to doing regular, at-home work, which makes them the perfect weekend or summer break purchase. There are 16 books to choose from, depending on your child's age and the subject matter.
Charts to help your child with uncharted territory
NewPath Learning Math Bulletin Board Chart Set, available at Amazon or Staples, $12.79
These 12-by-18-inch dry-erase charts double as a nice visual reminder and as an activity. The front of each chart offers a visual overview of different measurement conversions, while the flip side of each features activities that you can do on the chart itself with a dry-erase marker. Charts cover customary units of measurement; length, capacity, weight, and temperature; and time and temperature measurement. They align with state and national standards, including Common Core.
An activity set that teaches fractions with less tension
Junior Learning 50 Fraction Activities, Grades 1 to 5, available at Amazon and Staples, from $12.99
This set is suitable for parents who need help explaining how fractions work to their children. It includes 50 activities to teach a child fraction basics plus more challenging topics such as equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, fractions of a set, common denominators, adding and subtracting fractions, simplifying fractions, and multiplying and dividing fractions.
A storybook that provides a means (plus median and mode) to an end
"Math Matters: Project Popcorn" by Laura Driscoll, available at Amazon, $5.95
This book does a good job of showing how math can be applied to business and real-life situations. Part youth fiction, part math lesson, "Project Popcorn" follows the Community Champions, who are selling popcorn in order to raise money for families in need. Kids will see how and why mean, median, and mode are used, and why math is important for business and fundraising ventures.
App-based or paper flash cards because, once again, practice makes perfect
Big Math Flash Cards App, up to $8.93 of in-app purchases for free
Scholastic Multiplication 0-12 Flash Cards, available at Walmart or Amazon, $2.79
I'm a big believer that practice and memorization can greatly enhance someone's math skills, especially when it comes to multiplication and the "times tables" up to 12. The Big Math app has easy-to-use virtual flash cards that can be used to practice simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Make it fun and play with the whole family.
If you don't want another reason for your child to be on their phone or iPad, get a set of Scholastic flash cards. Be sure to not only encourage your child to practice on their own, make sure you practice with them too.