The Best Method for Adults to Reinforce Math Skills for Supporting School-Aged Children

Parents often find themselves relearning or reinforcing their math skills to better support their children's education. This article aims to guide adults on the most effective methods to relearn math concepts, particularly for helping a 12-year-old child. Luckily, with the advancements in technology, making a smooth transition back into math can be quite simplified.

Supporting a 12-Year-Old with Math: Understanding the Challenges

Many adults my age might feel a bit rusty when it comes to math, given that it might have been many years since they were last engaged with these concepts. Fortunately, Google recently enhanced its search capabilities to offer in-depth math assistance in over 70 languages. This tool can be a great starting point for brushing up on math skills without having to rely solely on textbooks or traditional methods.

Choosing the Right Math Resource: Saxon Math

For those seeking a structured and effective method to relearn math, I strongly recommend the Saxon Math series. With a background in math education for over 40 years, I have experience with many publishers, and can confidently state that Saxon and Dolciani have written the most comprehensible and effective books among the major publishers.

The Saxon Math books are labeled by grade levels, making it easy to find the right book for your child's needs. For instance, if your child is in 6th grade, you could consider purchasing Math 6, Math 65, or Math 76. However, choosing the right Saxon book can be a bit nuanced, as it depends on the child's math background and current skill level.

Choosing the Right Level of Saxon Math

If your child is doing well and has a strong foundation, it's advisable to start with a book with a two-digit number, such as Math 76. On the other hand, if your child is struggling and needs reinforcement from previous years, you might want to opt for a slightly lower level, like Math 65.

Another advantage of the Saxon method is its incremental approach, where concepts are introduced gradually and continually reviewed. This ensures that the material is not only understood but also retained, making it an excellent choice for parents and children to work through together at a steady pace.

Additional Resources for Math Reinforcement

While the Saxon Math books are an excellent choice, there are other online resources available that can aid in the relearning process. Khan Academy is a free online resource that offers a comprehensive curriculum, starting from basic arithmetic and progressing to advanced topics such as calculus.

Khan Academy is particularly useful because it provides a step-by-step learning experience that can help adults refresh their math skills. As a parent myself, I have found it invaluable in reviewing difficult math concepts and teaching my children to seek out resources to solve their math problems. My daughter, now in university, has continued to benefit from this resource when she faces challenging problems on her own.

Key Takeaways

Google's Enhanced Math Assistance: Use Google's new in-depth math assistance for solving equations and refreshing your math skills. Saxon Math: Choose the Saxon Math series based on your child's math level and skills for a structured and effective learning experience. Khan Academy: Utilize Khan Academy for a comprehensive and self-paced math reinforcement, starting from the most basic concepts.

By utilizing these resources, adults can effectively relearn and reinforce their math skills, providing valuable support to their children as they navigate their school years, and ensuring that the love for learning math continues to flourish.