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How Do Our Experiences With Math Affect Our Children?

How Do Our Experiences With Math Affect Our Children?

It’s no secret that math is a cornerstone of modern society, but how does our experience with math affect our children? Children learn from their parents and other adults, so it stands to reason that how we relate to math can shape how our children understand and approach the subject.

In today’s post, we’ll explore how our experience with math might impact our children and discuss strategies for promoting a positive attitude towards mathematics within the home. Furthermore, we will take a look at how our math tutoring programs offer an innovative way for parents to learn alongside their children. 

Math Anxiety

Math anxiety is a real and challenging problem for many individuals who have had negative experiences with math in the past. As parents, we don’t often think about how our past experiences could affect our children’s learning, but studies show just how much of an impact it can have. 

While many factors can contribute to math anxiety, one that is often overlooked is a teacher’s engagement level. It’s easy to dismiss a teacher’s behaviour as irrelevant to student success, but studies show that a disengaged teacher can actually cause significant damage to a student’s mindset. 

When a teacher gives off signals that they don’t care about the subject matter or the students, it can lead to a lack of motivation, confusion, and ultimately poor performance. This is particularly true in math, which is already a challenging subject for many students.

Believe it or not, if you had a math teacher in your past that contributed to your math anxiety, it could now be affecting your child’s learning. If you find yourself unmotivated to figure out math concepts or shy away from doing chores that rely on math, such as personal taxes or finances, you are setting a scene for your child to think math may be too difficult for them to learn as well. 

Other than unengaging teachers, math anxiety can also be caused by a lack of resources or simply feeling overwhelmed with complex concepts and not getting the help needed. No matter what led to your math anxiety, it is essential to recognize the impact that math anxiety may have on one’s life and how it may be affecting your child’s relationship with math. 

The Good News

The good news is that math anxiety can be overcome with proper guidance and support, and individuals can develop a newfound confidence in their math abilities. With the right mindset, resources, and practice, anyone can easily become skilled at math and tackle any mathematical problem. This is where Dropkick Math Academy can help! 

Traditionally, math tutoring has been one-on-one sessions or group classes led by a tutor. But at Dropkick Math Academy, we believe learning should be collaborative between parents and children. 

Our approach involves teaching parents how to assist their children in mastering math concepts so that learning becomes a team effort. We provide online resources, including video tutorials and engaging games, to make learning enjoyable and engaging for both parents and children. By working together, we believe that children can achieve academic success, and parents can feel confident in their ability to support their children’s education.

Speaking Of Math…

First, it’s important to remember that when we talk about “math”, we’re talking about much more than just equations or numbers. Math involves problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, creative thinking, and the ability to make connections between different concepts. As such, having a positive attitude towards mathematics can help ensure that kids develop these important skills in a supportive environment.

Keeping in mind that math isn’t all about working out problems on paper, experiencing math can be done throughout our daily lives. By incorporating math learning into daily activities, you can show your child how much math is truly used every day. For example, when going to the grocery store, talk about the prices out loud. Explain discounts on items and have your child help you figure out the best choices of items that may be on sale. 

If you tend to shy away from math concepts and don’t feel that you have the confidence you should have, talking things through with your child may help you understand it more too! Just remember that you use math so much in your daily life that you probably don’t even think about it anymore. 

You use it when checking the change the cashier gives you at the gas station, when figuring out when you need to leave your house to get your kids to hockey on time, and even when whipping up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Math is around us everywhere, and you use it more than you know!

As parents, we often forget that everything we say or do can have an impact on our children- and that involves how we speak about mathematics. So, next time you encounter a scenario with math, make it a learning experience and talk it through with your child!

Positive Reinforcement

One way to promote enthusiasm for learning math among children is by providing positive reinforcement. You may not have had the positive reinforcement you should have as a child, but it is never too late to start with your child. Whenever they solve a difficult problem or complete an assignment successfully, be sure to recognize their efforts and give them credit for trying. This will help them realize that even though math is sometimes challenging, they can still be successful if they apply themselves. 

Additionally, it’s important not to become frustrated with children if they are struggling with a concept; instead, offer patience and support as they work through more difficult topics. Understanding that mistakes are part of learning ––and nothing to be ashamed of––can go a long way in fostering self-confidence when approaching mathematical problems down the line.

Work On It Together

As parents, we all want to help our children succeed, but when math questions come into the picture, it can feel overwhelming. However, telling your children that you are not good at math is not the answer. Try making an effort to work through it with them. 

This not only shows our support for their learning, but it can also help you brush up on your own math skills. Encourage your child to explain the problem to you, and you can tackle it together. Math may not come naturally to everyone, but with practice and patience, both you and your child can improve.

As we mentioned earlier, our math programs in Toronto and the surrounding area offer an excellent way for you to learn alongside your child. At Dropkick Math, we believe relationships are the primary key to learning success. Our trained instructors offer a fun and engaging way to learn for both parent and child to understand the building blocks of mathematics.  

Show An Interest

Finally, it’s vital that parents show their own interest in mathematics so their kids can do the same! Modelling behaviour such as studying books related to mathematics subjects during spare time or listening attentively during parent-teacher conferences on progress made will demonstrate how seriously you take the importance of mathematical development in your children’s lives, which may encourage them to take more interest as well.

Understanding how our experiences with math shape our children’s attitudes is vital for ensuring lifelong success in this critical subject area. Positive reinforcement and engaging activities centered around mathematics are just two ways parents can foster excitement around mathematics from an early age while helping cultivate core problem-solving skills in preparation for upcoming years. 

Before hitting Google and searching for “math tutor near me,” check out our website and learn how we involve parents in their child’s learning. Our math tutoring programs offer an innovative and engaging way to get parents and children alike excited to learn mathematics!

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Why Is It So Hard To Help With Your Child’s Math Homework?

Why Is It So Hard To Help With Your Child's Homework

Do you ever feel like a fish out of water when helping your child with their math homework? The pressures of parenting can make it difficult to help, especially if you have limited knowledge about what’s being asked on the assignment. No matter if it’s basic arithmetic or higher level algebra questions, supporting our kids in mastering this subject can seem daunting and overwhelming for any parent. But don’t worry–it doesn’t have to be so hard! Dropkick Math Academy offers online math help for both parent and child. 

Read on to learn why parents often struggle to assist their children with math homework. We will also provide strategies to help tackle tricky problems easier so you can become an effective facilitator who supports, rather than frustrates, your child’s learning journey.

Has Math Changed?

When your child asks for homework help, it can be an eye-opening experience. Technology has made its mark on the educational system, and math lessons are no exception. Despite many advances in technology, math has always retained its basic principles. So, in short, math hasn’t changed, but how it is being taught has. 

This may explain why it is so hard to help children with their homework. Parents have not been taught mathematics the same way that children today learn it.   

To ensure children remain competitive, math literacy is an important focus in their education. Teaching math skills is no longer just about solving equations and memorizing facts. It involves engaging them with higher-order math concepts such as problem-solving, critical thinking, data analysis, and algorithmic thinking to prepare them for the automated future of workflows and improved public services enabled by artificial intelligence. 

Math education should be seen as a gateway to drive innovation and help children understand the interplay between technology, automation and virtual collaboration so they can thrive in our interconnected digital world.

While this may sound intimidating to most parents, learning this new way of thinking about mathematics is vital to help your child along their educational journey. 

Finding Multiple Ways To A Solution

Math is no longer about memorizing formulas and crunching numbers. Today, math education focuses on teaching children the skills to be creative problem solvers. Rather than merely looking for one right answer, students must take a deep dive and think analytically to find multiple paths that lead to the same solution. 

They are encouraged and trained to recognize patterns, identify relationships between concepts, judge cause and effect, and use reason to connect math with real-world applications. By focusing on the process, math teaches students concepts and how to think more critically and effectively by using math in everyday situations.

“The highest achieving kids in the world are the ones who see math as a big web of interconnected ideas, and the lowest achieving students in the world are the kids who take a memorization approach to math,” said education author Dr. Jo Boaler. 

Unlike traditional math classes that used to rely solely on lecture-style teaching, modern math instruction focuses on encouraging hands-on activities in which students can explore math concepts and make connections between fundamental math theories. 

By combining visual aids like videos, models, and interactive software with textbooks, modern math instructors are able to provide more engaging educational experiences that help students better understand complex math concepts.  

Math manipulatives are also a great way to help children understand math concepts and for them to learn how to look at equations in various ways. By utilizing math manipulatives, children can start to understand that there are often many ways to find a solution. 

Asking Questions

When working with your child on their homework, there are some questions you can ask them that will help both of you understand the tasks at hand. By asking the right questions, children can find multiple paths that lead to the same solution, figure out the concepts behind math questions, and show they truly understand basic math foundations.  

“What if?” is an excellent question to ask your child when they are learning math. The question “What if?” is known to be at the root of innovation, experimentation, and play and allows children to contemplate questions beyond their immediate understanding. It can help to fuel curiosity, a deeper understanding, and intellectual breakthroughs. 

“What is going on here?” is another example of a question that can help children look for the underlying structure of a problem. This simple question is an excellent way to check if your child truly understands the concepts or if they have just memorized them. 

The illusion of learning can be a tempting trap for students to fall into. Recognizing information once it is presented can give the illusion that they have learned the material, but in reality, they can only recall it as long as they are given clues. This can create a false sense of confidence and lead to frustration down the road when the material must be recalled without any hints. 

By asking simple questions, parents can help their children better understand the root of mathematics and ensure they don’t just have an illusion of learning. 

An Education Grounded In STEM

Math has never been more important than it is today. We must provide our children with the math skills that will enable them to thrive in this rapidly changing world. Educators and parents must prioritize math learning and provide an education grounded in concepts of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). 

Traditional teaching methods are no longer enough to prepare students for their future roles properly- math instruction needs to reflect the changing landscape of society and its reliance on math-centric occupations. 

By shifting math instruction away from traditional learning activities, math can be presented in a way that is applicable to students’ lives, resulting in increased motivation and success in math performance. As educators and parents, it is our duty to ensure that our children receive valuable math instruction so they can realize their potential and become fully prepared for what lies ahead. This includes becoming educated ourselves so we can effectively help our children. 

How You Can Help Your Child

It’s important to take a step back and realize that homework assistance doesn’t necessarily mean knowing the answers but instead being a resource for guidance as your child learns something new. With the help of Dropkick Math Academy (and a little patience and determination), homework doesn’t have to feel like a struggle for either of you.

Dropkick online math help is elevating the way parents and their children learn math. Dropkick Math Academy’s programs aim to put parents alongside kids so they can learn together with fun, engaging activities. With Dropkick Math Academy’s approach, parents develop an understanding of the math being taught and support their children in a hands-on way. Dropkick Math Academy believes involving parents in the learning process helps foster a positive relationship between parent and child while allowing both generations to gain confidence and skills.

By learning alongside your child, we will expose you to new learning strategies your child is experiencing in their classroom. We believe that by working together, you and your child can learn math fundamentals and gain skills that will translate for years to come. 

Focusing On Relationships

Dropkick Math is a tutoring company that provides support in learning key math skills by focusing on relationships and engaging the parent/guardian. All of our programs are focused on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning) to help parents and children understand the basic fundamentals of math. 

We believe relationships are the primary key to learning success. Our certified Ontario teachers offer a fun and engaging way to learn for both parent and child to understand the building blocks of mathematics.  

Get started today by learning more about our programs.

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How To Support Your Child’s Learning At Dropkick Math

How To Support Your Child’s Learning At Dropkick Math

As a parent, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching your child excel in school. It can be especially gratifying when you see them master math concepts and engage with the material at an advanced level. However, achieving those goals can often be difficult and comes with its own set of challenges. Luckily, Dropkick Math online math tutor services offer comprehensive educational programs that make learning easier for children and parents alike! Keep reading to learn how to support your family’s academic journey!

Anxiety And Frustration

When math homework assignments become too challenging for your child, it can cause anxiety and frustration. Despite their best efforts, math concepts may remain unclear, and basic math skills might be difficult to retain. Math tutoring can bring tremendous help for these issues. 

A qualified math tutor can achieve mathematical strategies, such as breaking down math problems into easy-to-understand steps and introducing visual aids to reinforce math concepts. Through personalized instruction, math tutoring can boost your child’s confidence to progress and succeed in math.

Choosing The Right Online Math Tutor

We understand that when your child is struggling, it can be overwhelming to try and find a math tutoring company that is best for your child. At Dropkick Math Academy, we make it easy to understand our process and remain transparent on pricing so you can decide if we are the right fit for your child. By selecting the math tutor that best suits your child’s needs, you are giving them the gift of learning they deserve. 

Dropkick Math Academy is a virtual tutoring company that uses fun and engaging strategies to help children overcome their fear of math. We focus all of our programs on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning, and proportional reasoning). Our programs help children understand math fundamentals rather than just helping in a band-aid style when they need help with one concept. Our programs give students the underlying fundamentals to help carry them through their mathematics education. 

By selecting Dropkick Math tutoring services for your child, you are taking the first step in giving them the key to mathematic success for their future. 

Parental Involvement

Dropkick Math Academy provides a unique environment for parents to participate actively in their child’s learning experience. By registering at Dropkick Math, you get access to online classes designed to work with children and parents. As a parent, being involved in the learning process helps create a more meaningful experience for your child and encourages them to take ownership of their education. Dropkick Math Academy gives parents the resources to join in along and support their children during the classes and monitor progress throughout the program.

Education experts have found that parental involvement leads to higher grades, improved behaviour in school, and greater education aspirations for the child. Additionally, parents play a crucial role in instilling essential values like hard work, determination, and self-discipline. 

If you are unable to attend each week, it is important to remember that parental involvement can take many forms. However, the end goal remains the same – giving children the tools they need to thrive in their education and beyond. 

Create A Home Learning Environment

Giving your child a dedicated workspace for learning is a great way to aid their educational journey and help them reach their learning goals. Having this designated area at home provides a physical and psychological environment for learning; students can focus on their studies without any other distractions. This dedicated workspace could be as simple as a desk and comfortable chair, with all essential materials such as paper and pens. It can also become an empowering learning center filled with books, math manipulatives or anything else that encourages learning and productivity that they prioritize while studying.

When choosing a study area for your child, it’s crucial to consider their age. If they’re young, setting up a place that you can easily supervise regularly is important. Not only will this help ensure you can provide guidance and support as needed, but it will also help create the right environment for study success – one that motivates them and inspires learning. Put simply, the study area you select should reflect your child’s specific developmental needs and circumstances. 

Boosting Confidence

The power of verbal encouragement when it comes to mathematics can never be understated. A few well-timed words of support and appreciation can go a long way to show your child that you recognize their efforts in mathematics, whether they are having difficulty with a concept or breezing through homework. 

Showing your child encouragement while learning with Dropkick Math will help boost their confidence and develop math skills more effectively instead of feeling discouraged by how mathematics is presented in school. Our math learning techniques are focused on boosting confidence, and with parents learning alongside their children, it is easy to create a nurturing and supportive environment. 

Fun and Engaging

Dropkick Math Academy offers math programs that can revolutionize the math learning experience for your child. Say goodbye to the traditional tutoring methods – with Dropkick, math operations become fun and engaging activities that take place in a small group setting. Our experienced math professionals create strategies to focus on your child’s math skills, turning math into an enjoyable educational activity. Learning math will no longer be boring and frustrating thanks to these innovative math programs!

Learn more about our programs today!

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Encouraging Participation in Group Math Activities

Encouraging Participation in Group Math Activities

Helping your child understand and enjoy mathematics can be challenging as a parent. However, learning mathematics does not have to be boring or intimidating for children! When it comes to introducing math topics to your kids, group activities can help make the process fun and engaging, especially in a math tutoring environment.  

Involving groups of peers in collaborative math exercises encourages children to better comprehend the material by actively participating in problem-solving activities with their peers. Additionally, it allows them an opportunity to bond over shared interests while developing valuable social skills along the way. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how Dropkick Math uses group activities as an effective teaching strategy for guiding your child’s understanding of mathematical concepts. We’ll also discuss why group math activities are important, and introduce some helpful tips on helping children who may be hesitant to participate in group learning.  

Motivation 

Motivating students to be enthusiastically receptive is fundamental when it comes to giving quality instruction in mathematics and is a vital ingredient of any curriculum. Our teachers at Dropkick Math engage our students in fun and engaging activities that help demonstrate the relevance of math and how it applies to real-world situations. Doing this helps spark student interest, motivating them to increase their enthusiasm for learning. 

Classroom learning can be enhanced tremendously when students are motivated by their peers. Group learning experiences allow abilities and strengths to be shared, motivating each individual to work toward the same goal together. Consequently, the group setting encourages active student participation while building relationships and forming a network of reliable mutual support from within the same classroom. 

When we foster motivating environments, learners are more likely to engage in activities with enthusiasm rather than dread and apathy. Motivating peers is a valuable tool for creating an entertaining yet challenging bond that helps students strive for personal improvement and educational success.

Making Learning Fun!

Working in a group setting can be an effective way to learn something new, and it’s especially beneficial in more challenging classes such as math. When students collaborate, group problem-solving can commence, and the learning process becomes more interactive. As a result, everyone can have fun and enjoy finding solutions to problems by working together instead of sulking over them alone. 

Group learning eliminates any solo struggles that may arise with such complex topics, and having peers by your side can help reduce the pressure associated with each task. Ultimately, group learning creates a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among the class while providing an enjoyable way to tackle even the most difficult concepts.

Learning From Each Other

Group learning in math classes can provide an opportunity for children to learn from each other’s mistakes. Working collaboratively with peers can help them identify errors and think of solutions together. It also helps foster a sense of community among group members and strengthens problem-solving skills. Through group work, students are more likely to ask questions, clarify understanding, and have a better overall grasp of math operations than when they work independently.

Offering Rewards

Each student is different, and what motivates them to join group learning may differ. However, at Dropkick Math Academy, we have found that rewarding students helps encourage them to participate.  

Rewarding students for participating in group class is an increasingly popular practice as educators recognize the value of students engaging with the material, even if they don’t always get the answer right. Understanding that students need to be acknowledged for their efforts and that their contributions can often lead to unexpected learning opportunities, rewards for participation become valuable incentives. This kind of encouragement helps students build confidence and encourages them to keep participating and growing. In the classroom setting, rewarding students for stepping forward and developing ideas or solutions provides an opportunity for self-discovery and exploration.

At Dropkick Math Academy, we offer students rewards that include Amazon gift cards, Pokemon cards, wireless earbuds and more!

How To Help Your Child Participate

While the theory behind group learning sounds great, I often have parents asking how to get their children to start participating. We can often put children together in a group, but some are still shy and need encouragement to participate. 

Assisting your child in overcoming the apprehension of participating in a group class setting can be daunting. However, there are several things you can do as a parent to help your child become comfortable with the idea. 

Before enrolling them, make sure to explain why it is beneficial for them to participate and emphasize that the best way to learn is by engaging directly with their peers. Additionally, let them know that joining group activities will allow them to have fun and make new friends. Allow your child to observe one session before expecting them to start participating. Finally, offer words of encouragement and remind them how brave they are for trying something new and different!

Maximum Class Size

At Dropkick Math Academy, we understand how it can be helpful for students to form a collaborative environment free from any distractions. That’s why we have taken note of limiting each class size to no more than four students. It creates an intimate learning atmosphere and helps students engage in meaningful discussions without anyone getting lost in the background. Having a maximum class size of four students allows students to access more personalized instruction and maximize their potential while working together.

Parental Involvement

At Dropkick Math Academy, we extend our commitment to active learning experiences to parents by inviting them to attend classes with their child and actively participate in the group exercises provided by the school. This helps create an atmosphere of mutual support, as parents can work alongside their child in solving mathematical problems while also providing the child with recognition and confidence that their home environment provides a safe place for learning. Parents are essential in making math tutoring more effective, especially at an early age, so we value their involvement in our student’s educational journey.

Get started with our math help services today by having your child take our FREE assessment!

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Tips for Setting up a Home Math Learning Environment

Tips for Setting up a Home Math Learning Environment
Are you looking for the perfect math learning environment for your kiddo? While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula, having an intentional plan and organized structure in place can vastly improve your child’s ability to succeed. Whether your child is attending virtual math tutoring classes or just wants a place to study at home, it is vital they have a dedicated space to work. Read on for some tried and tested tips on creating a learning space for your child in your home.  

Creating A Classroom At Home

Since the pandemic shook up the entire world and many classrooms turned virtual, many parents were suddenly faced with the challenge of using an area of their home as a makeshift classroom. Remote education certainly put home learning into a new perspective, and parents became quickly aware of just how important it is to have a designated study area for their children. However, creating a space where children can feel comfortable and have minimal distractions while studying can be difficult. Most parents didn’t perceive study areas as important as they are today. Before the pandemic, most children would study at home to practice what they had learned during school. However, since both children and parents spent numerous hours doing homework or listening to lectures from their houses during the pandemic, it suddenly became more clear that having a designated study area is vital for successful education. 

The Age Of Your Child

The first thing to take into consideration when choosing the right study area for your child is their age. If they are at an age when they need constant supervision, you will want to select a space that allows you to keep an eye on them easily. If they are old enough to study independently, you can give them privacy in a quiet area of the house or in their bedroom. 

Meeting Criteria

When creating a space for your child to work in, it is important to ensure the area meets three key criteria. First, natural light is essential for successful learning and while very dark days may require artificial lighting, take measures to ensure adequate access to as much natural light as possible. Secondly, the temperature is also a key factor in creating an inviting work environment—the room should be neither too hot nor too cold. Finally, low levels of noise are also necessary for optimum work production; background noise can be disruptive and if possible aim for silent workspaces. In addition to lighting and temperature, ensure your child has both a comfortable chair and desk at their workstation: far better conditions than trying to work while sitting on the bed or sofa!

Less Clutter

Clutter can have a substantial adverse effect on education and can be incredibly disruptive when it comes to studying at home. As clutter accumulates, it starts taking up physical space in the learning environment and becomes a distraction for children. To ensure efficient learning at home, creating an area free from clutter is vital, as this encourages the child to stay focused on their studies. Keeping clutter away does not necessarily mean having a sterile desk and room, but rather organizing items around the workspace into tidy categories that maximize efficiency. This can create a more productive home study atmosphere and make it easier for the child to concentrate as they work through their daily assignments.

Keep Supplies Nearby

The easiness and organization of a child’s study space will determine how well they can independently access the materials they need to accomplish a task. Providing easy access to the appropriate supplies necessary for their studies, such as markers and paper, will help keep them motivated while allowing them to complete tasks without getting frustrated or discouraged. Moreover, having these items easily accessible helps them maintain concentration during remote learning classes or tutoring so that any disruptions are kept to a minimum. Ultimately, parents need to ensure their child’s study space has an adequate supply of materials in order to promote effective learning experiences at home.Don’t forget supplies often go beyond just notebooks and pens. Always have a kit ready that includes things like markers, a calculator, ruler, and even a water bottle.

Think About Functionality

Creating the ideal home learning environment for a child is not easy if you don’t have the right things in place. Functionality should be at the forefront of your mind when selecting elements like school supplies and furniture, as they form an integral part of a child’s study space. The desk and chair should be chosen to provide comfort, support, and accessibility in equal measure; while paperwork and stationery should be organized together to make it easy for the child to find everything they need without getting distracted. Ultimately, successful home learning starts with creating the perfect environment that allows a child the opportunity to explore their studies most efficiently and comfortably.Learning new math operations and equations can be frustrating, so we want children to be in a place where they feel comfortable and where they can focus on their learning. At Dropkick Math Academy, all our programs are virtual, so children will work from home. Having a place where they can study without distractions is vital to their success. To learn more about our programs visit our website today!
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Identifying Signs of Struggling with Mathematics

Identifying Signs of Struggling with Mathematics

Do you feel like your child is falling behind in the mathematical world? Mathematics can be a tricky concept for students, but identifying signs early on that they are struggling can really set them up for success in the future. 

There’s no need to worry if your child is having difficulty understanding certain concepts because there are several steps that parents can take to help their budding mathematicians get back on track, including using a tutoring company. Read on as we discuss how to spot warning signs and what actionable strategies you can use when helping your child build up their math skills!

A Disliked Topic

Math can be one of the most difficult subjects for children to master, so it is not surprising that it is one of the most commonly disliked topics among school-aged children. To ensure a child’s math success, parents and teachers should work together to foster an environment that promotes math confidence and understanding. Doing this will help them realize they can excel at math with persistence!

Three Main Reasons

While there can be a variety of reasons why children struggle with mathematics, there are often three that stand out more than others.  

Math Anxiety

One of the most significant hindrances to effective math comprehension is the belief that math is too complicated or that a child isn’t smart enough to understand it. This belief is commonly caused by math anxiety and can lead to lacklustre achievements in math, as striving for success in something that seems out of reach quickly becomes demoralizing. 

When a child feels as though they are “not good at math,” they lose the confidence needed to advance. Many children become too afraid to even take a chance at answering math questions and would rather retreat into the back of the classroom and become invisible during math class. 

Symptoms of math anxiety in children include:

  • Low achievement
  • Avoidance of math
  • Negative self-talk
  • Intense emotional reactions while trying to do math
  • Nervousness
  • Increased heart rate
  • Lack of response in math class

If your child is showing any of these signs, they may have math anxiety. This is a common occurrence, but it can continue into adulthood if not dealt with at an early age with math tutoring. 

Lacking The Building Blocks

Math is an intricate subject, one where each concept builds upon the last. This can create a type of domino effect; if one math concept isn’t fully understood or retained, the student may continually fall behind in math progressions. Math classes are often structured so that later concepts rely on the foundations of earlier material. 

Suppose a child is missing this base understanding of elements like multiplication and division. In that case, they may struggle to move forward, and their math skills may be severely impacted when tackling more complex equations. Therefore, instructors must ensure students have mastered each lesson before advancing in math coursework; it’s the only way to guarantee success for future math questions.

Learning Difficulties

If you notice your child struggling with math, they could have an undiagnosed learning disability. While there are numerous disabilities, one of the most common is dyscalculia (also known as number or math dyslexia).

Children with dyscalculia often have trouble remembering math facts. They may understand the logic behind math facts but may not know when or how to apply them to solve problems. Another sign of dyscalculia is the inability to understand quantities or concepts like biggest versus smallest. 

Currently, researchers do not yet fully understand dyscalculia, but they suspect that it’s related to how the brain processes math-related information; how specific regions of the brain would be structured differently and interact differently in those with dyscalculia compared to individuals without it. As such, more studies are needed to better understand what causes this math-learning disorder and how it can be prevented and treated.

Speak With Their Teacher

If you are unsure whether your child is struggling in mathematics, the best place to start is by speaking to their teacher. They will be able to let you know if your child has been avoiding participation in class or any other warning signs that could mean there is a problem. By catching math anxiety and learning difficulties early, it is easier to get a child the help they need to get back on track. 

At Dropkick Math Academy, our online math help is designed to help students regardless of their struggles. All of our math tutors are certified Ontario teachers who are experienced in teaching children with various learning styles and blocks. They understand why a child may be struggling and how to encourage them to overcome the hurdles they may face. 

All of our programs revolve around the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning, proportional reasoning) designed to focus on a child’s needs, whether it is more visual or tactile aids or more focused explanations of concepts. We understand that learning math can be difficult for many children and their parents, and we strive to offer the best in education for future success. By involving the parents/guardians in our math tutoring, we can help ensure they are equipped with the knowledge to help their child down the line. At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe that learning together brings greater success!

Learn more about our programs today and how we can help your child if they are struggling with mathematics. 

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How To Make Math Fun For Your Child

How To Make Math Fun For Your Child

Do math and fun often seem like polar opposites to you? You’re not alone – a lot of parents find it hard to make math an enjoyable experience for their kiddos. Fear not, though; with the right strategies, you can get your child engaged in mathematics and have some laughs along the way! In this blog post, we’ll be talking about how to make math more entertaining for your child – from using simple games to introducing helpful tools. If you are still struggling, there are many math help services that can be utilized to get your child excited about mathematics. So read on if you want to help your son or daughter take a shine to their arithmetic lessons.

Make It A Game

First and foremost, anything can be fun when made into a game. Game-based learning has been touted repeatedly as one of the best ways to get children engaged and interested in learning. 

For young students, games and friendly competition provide an ideal way to speed up the learning process. Hands-on activities like playing cards or board games, and completing puzzles, can help kids access and understand new information quickly and more effectively than through direct teaching. 

By competing with a friend or family member, players are also encouraged to expand their knowledge in order to win the game. Furthermore, games heighten the excitement of learning something new and give kids a valuable break from the traditional school curriculum.

At Dropkick Math Academy, game-based learning is at the center of our student’s educational experience. We understand that children typically learn best when they can actively engage with their subject material in a fun and creative way. 

With game-based study models, our students actively explore complex ideas through play. Our game-based curriculum exposes students to the core concepts of math and encourages them to use problem-solving techniques to find solutions and advance further in gameplay.

Make Use Of Screens

Kids today can no longer imagine life without their devices and screens, so why not make the most of it? Using apps and games to reinforce kids’ understanding of math concepts effectively keeps kids engaged while they learn. With a wide range of interactive activities, kids have fun while being exposed to Math concepts and developing their problem-solving skills. From games designed for kids as young as three all the way up to linking theoretical math skills with video games, these apps and games can be an enjoyable and rewarding way for kids to build confidence in their Math abilities.

Dropkick Math provides virtual math tutoring programs that are an invaluable resource for children and parents alike. Our virtual environment allows children to learn and grow while staying safe in the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need for physical classrooms and face-to-face instruction. 

With our range of math help services, students can access exciting virtual activities and other resources all at the click of a mouse. With Dropkick Math, there’s no stopping your child’s learning journey!

Make It Relevant

It’s important to engage kids in math by teaching them how relevant math is to their own lives. Showing kids how math is used for practical purposes in the real world helps them understand why it is necessary and worthwhile. 

By connecting math topics like multiplication, fractions, and equations to experiences from everyday life, such as shopping and telling time, kids learn in a more meaningful way that allows math skills to become part of who they are. When kids form this connection between math and real-life situations, it can shift their mindset from feeling frustrated with math to appreciating its utility and valuing what it can do for them.

Watch Your Words

As parents, it’s all too easy to accidentally introduce math anxiety in our children without even realizing it. A simple statement such as “I am not good at math” can negatively impact our kids because it alters how math is perceived and internalized by them. It creates a harmful perception of math and could lead to math anxiety, which can affect how children perform and how they view themselves in math-related fields in the future. 

We should take care to avoid slipping up with our words when speaking with our kids about math and never allow our own math anxieties to interfere with their math learning experience.

If you do feel anxious about math and don’t know where to start when trying to help your child learn, Dropkick Math Academy may be able to help! We encourage parents to be involved and learn alongside their children. 

As any parent knows, children thrive when they feel loved and supported. This is especially true when it comes to education. When parents are involved in their child’s education, it sends a message of acceptance, inclusion, and respect. This can increase a child’s confidence and motivation, leading to better grades and improved social skills, resulting in them having fun while learning! 

Connect Reading With Math

Connecting math and reading can be a great complement for children who enjoy reading! There are many books available that can help young learners understand math concepts more easily by introducing them through stories. 

Reading about math and its application in a fiction story is an enjoyable way to engage children with mathematical ideas, build comprehension skills and support understanding of the sometimes complicated principles of mathematics. It might even pique their interest to pursue more advanced problem-solving! So if your child loves to read, consider engaging them with a read-aloud book about math for an entertaining and educational experience.

A Love Of Learning

Learning math can often be intimidating for children, especially if they struggle to understand a difficult concept. However, making learning math fun and engaging can be hugely beneficial when it comes to their future success. When children experience learning positively, they are more likely to become eager and confident learners – profiting both academically and personally. 

Whether through games or innovative applications of problem-solving questions, learning math should not have to come at the cost of joy and anticipation. By introducing elements of creativity into learning, children will soon find mathematics an enjoyable part of learning.

Committed To Making Learning Fun

Dropkick Math Academy is committed to making learning math an enjoyable and rewarding experience for your child. With certified Ontario teachers providing personalized instruction tailored to each student, Dropkick’s program helps boost confidence levels and ensures your child has the skills they need to thrive in the future. 

Not only can Dropkick Math help sharpen math fundamentals, but it can also provide fun activities and games that will keep your child engaged and excited about learning more. Our Toronto math services are the perfect way to give your child a head start into success!

Learn more about our programs and get your child started today!

Categories
Math Tutoring

How To Help Your Child Learn Division

How To Help Your Child Learn Division

If multiplication is the bee’s knees, then division must be the honey (or whatever else bees make!). So, whether your child is a young buckaroo learning to divide for the first time or an older kid who needs some extra practice with this arithmetic concept, this blog post will have you and your kiddo buzzing about mastering division! 

Here we’ll discuss helpful tips for introducing kids to division concepts and ways to do so that are fun and educational. We will also dive into math tutoring and whether it is worth it for your child. Let’s get started!

A Confusing Subject

Division can be a confusing subject for children and one that requires plenty of practice. It’s an important skill to learn, as it forms the basis of many other mathematical operations. That’s why it’s essential to find ways to help your child learn division so that they have a strong foundation for future math lessons. Here are some tips and strategies to get your child on the right track. 

Break Down Division Into Components 

Teaching division can be daunting if you try to tackle the entire concept all at once. Instead, break up division into smaller components, such as figuring out division facts or modelling division with objects. This makes it easier for children to understand the process and helps them focus on each step without getting overwhelmed. 

For example, you could start by having your child solve simple divisibility problems using numbers they already know and then move on to practicing factors and multiples before tackling long division. 

Make Use Of Visual Aids

Visual aids are incredibly useful when it comes to teaching division because they help children understand what happens when something is divided into equal parts. You can draw diagrams or create models with objects like candy or coins, so your child can physically see how things are divided up. There are also math manipulatives that you can purchase to help your child learn more easily. This will also help them better understand why certain answers make sense mathematically speaking! 

An example of using visual aids can include having your child divide candies. If your child is practicing math for grade 4, ask them to divide the candies into equal groups. Then instruct them to either split the candies into two groups of four or four groups of two. Discuss this process and show your child how to write it as a division problem. Repeat this activity several times with other numbers to help your child gain a better understanding of division. 

Practice Word Problems 

Word problems can be intimidating for anyone – even adults – but if approached correctly, they can become a fun way for children to learn and apply their knowledge of equations related to division concepts.

Try this word problem with your child involving bicycles:

There are 65 bikes in the bike rack outside the school. Out of all the bikes, 31 are silver. Half of the remaining bikes are red.

Estimate how many bikes are red.

Make sure you provide plenty of examples that come in different forms and require your child to think critically about how they should attack the problem at hand before jumping straight into solving mode! 

Use Games 

Games are not only fun but also an excellent way to reinforce math skills, such as those related to division. Board games such as Monopoly or Boggle encourage players to use counting skills which are helpful when understanding how two numbers interact during a divide-and-conquer calculation scenario (e.g., 4 / 2 = 2). 

Puzzles, math videos, apps and online activities all offer additional opportunities for kids to practice their math knowledge in an engaging manner – which increases the likelihood that knowledge gained from doing so will stick! 

At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe learning math should be fun and engaging. This is why all of our game-based programs offer children an opportunity to interact easily with our teachers while boosting their confidence in mathematics. Our math tutoring is an alternative to traditional tutoring that only uses textbooks and addresses the problems a child is experiencing at that moment. Our programs set children up with math fundamentals so they have the skills necessary to continue in future grades. 

Talk About Real Life Applications 

Real life examples provide context, meaning and relevance in learning, which helps students connect more deeply with presented content–including difficult concepts like those related to dividing numbers! 

Try discussing situations where knowing how division works comes in handy. This could include sharing equally between friends or dividing tasks among family members. By encouraging your child to think creatively you will also help them harness the power of mental math rather than relying solely on physical manipulations (i.e., pencil & paper) during problem-solving moments. 

Of course, applying math in real life will depend on your child’s age. For example, math for grade 4 can include using division in baking to divide recipes, while high schoolers can practice dividing decimals with finances while helping with the home finances. 

Learning any new topic can sometimes be challenging. Still, by breaking up topics like division into smaller pieces and exploring its real world applications, you’ll be able to make math concepts more understandable for your child – making learning both enjoyable & effective in turn!

Math Tutoring

If your child struggles with division, they may benefit from math tutoring. Understanding the basics of mathematics is essential for children’s success in more complex math equations. Children who do not learn the root of math can find themselves hindered when attempting to tackle harder equations later in their academic careers. Missing that basic foundation can present a problem when children face arithmetic, algebra, and even calculus because a foundational understanding is necessary for them to progress further academically. 

Dropkick Math Academy offers math help services for children who may have a gap in learning. Whether this was caused by missed education from the pandemic or a misunderstanding of mathematics, our programs target the root cause and give children the fundamentals they need to succeed. 

Dropkick Math Programs

Our programs are based on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning, and proportional reasoning). We use an innovative approach to learning that respects modern scientific understanding of childhood education. 

Rather than simply memorizing facts, Dropkick Math Academy encourages students to engage with the subject and strive for a deeper conceptual understanding. Topics are suitably created for each level, so learning is attainable without overloading children, and alternative approaches to concepts allow for maximum engagement and comprehension. Dropkick Math Academy educates by developing student skills and aptitude, creating a well-rounded approach admired by educators across the globe.

Parental Involvement

Division concepts can be confusing to many children, so it’s often best to make sure that you also have full knowledge of your child’s level in relation to their grade. Our programs encourage parents to be involved with their child’s education so they can learn alongside their children. 

Still not sure if Dropkick Math would be right for your child? We offer all children a FREE, no-obligation assessment that will allow us to understand where their gaps in learning occur. We are transparent in our assessment and will share the results with parents/guardians so you can make the appropriate decision for your child. Learn more today by visiting our website. 

Categories
Math Tutoring

Choosing the Right Math Tutor for Your Child

Choosing-the-Right-Online-Math-Tutor

Are you one of the countless parents searching for a “math tutor near me” to help your child get up to speed with their studies? Finding the right teacher can feel overwhelming, like navigating a maze when you’re not quite sure what destination lies at its center. While it might take some time and effort, no parent wants to waste money! – scouting out the ideal math tutor is worth the hunt. After all, a great match could mean that difference between sailing through those pesky equations or drowning in them! Read on for tips on choosing the right math tutor for your child. 

A Daunting Task

Choosing the right math tutor for your child can be a stressful and daunting task. The math tutor you choose will significantly impact your child’s academic performance, so it is important to take the time to find someone who is both experienced and qualified. 

When selecting a math tutor, several factors should be taken into consideration. First, consider the background of the tutors you are looking at. Make sure they have experience in math education and are knowledgeable about different teaching methods suitable for various types of learners. It’s also beneficial to select a tutor specializing in the type of mathematics class your student is currently enrolled in, such as algebra or trigonometry. 

At Dropkick Math Academy, we take the quality of our educators very seriously. That’s why only certified Ontario teachers make up our teaching faculty. Each one of our certified teachers is trained and experienced in their respective areas of expertise. With their certified accreditation from the province, you can be sure your children are receiving the highest standard of education available. Our team of certified Ontario teachers ensures that every student gets the individualized attention and instruction needed to succeed in math and beyond.

Availability

Another important factor when choosing a math tutor is their availability. Most tutors schedule lessons either after school hours or on weekends. So, you need to ensure that the tutor’s scheduling options coincide with your available meeting times. You should also inquire about whether virtual sessions are an option; some tutors may offer one-on-one video chat sessions or small group tutorials through video conferencing services such as Skype or Google Meet. 

Dropkick Math Academy is a virtual online math tutor with sessions starting at various times and days of the week, so we can help ensure the time works best for your family. Our small group classes include no more than a maximum of 4 students and are taught through Google Meet.

Making Learning Fun!

Your assessment of a potential math tutor should also consider their professional experiences and qualifications and their personality, especially if you’re looking for long-term instruction for your child. 

A great way to assess their personality is by interviewing them directly or calling up references from past students or parents who have secured their services in the past. Ask questions like: Do they build rapport with students easily? Are they patient and tolerant? Understanding each candidate’s personality can help you determine which one would be best suited to teach your child effectively over an extended period of time. 

We know that math can be frustrating and boring, so we take steps to make our programs fun. All our programs are game-based and taught by teachers who make them interesting and engaging for children. 

Getting The Help They Need

When applying for a math tutor, you want to be sure your child is getting the help they need. Traditional tutors may not be able to recognize the underlying root cause of math misunderstandings and may just help students with the math concepts they are struggling with at that moment in time. However, this is only a bandaid solution, and children may encounter more problems later in their education. 

At Dropkick Math Academy, we’re dedicated to helping children learn and develop mathematical skills that they can use for years to come. To ensure our students are set up for success, we start each learning journey by performing an Early Indicators Assessment. This assessment helps us understand each student’s needs, so they can be placed in the most appropriate program for them. We believe this assessment provides an excellent basis for their math education, no matter their grade level or current skill level. By taking this assessment first, we give our students a strong foundation on which they can build an exciting future in mathematics.

Staying On Budget

Finally, budgeting concerns must be taken into account when selecting a math tutor – even though it shouldn’t necessarily dictate your choice of educator! Rates vary significantly among professionals depending on their qualifications and level of experience; make sure to do some research before deciding on any individual so that you can purchase quality tuition within what you can afford financially. 

We believe pricing should be transparent, so we break down all our costs. Dropkick Math Academy is billed in installments, and there are no hidden fees. Our prices are listed on our website, and we also offer FREE programs for participating Ontario school boards as part of the Learning Action Recovery Plan. 

Selecting The Perfect Math Tutor

In conclusion, selecting the perfect math tutor for your child requires careful consideration across multiple factors, including expertise, availability, teaching style and interpersonal skills; ensuring that all these elements come together harmoniously will ensure effective learning outcomes from personalized instruction backed by industry knowledge and experience tailored towards specific age groups like children or teenagers!

We understand finding the perfect fit for your child can be challenging. Dropkick Math Academy is an easy choice. With a rotating schedule of classes starting every few weeks, you are sure to find a timeslot that works for your child. We also ensure that our math intervention programs are fun and engaging so your child will stay focused and eager to learn. We also offer rewards to students at the end of each program which is always a big hit with children! Our current rewards include Amazon gift cards, Bluetooth earbuds, Pokemon cards and more!

So, whether your child is struggling with math or just wants to get ahead, we can help. Learn more about our programs and how we are different than a traditional online math tutor. Help your child succeed by having them fill in our FREE assessment today!

Categories
Math Tutoring

How Tutoring Can Help With Pandemic Recovery

How Tutoring Can Help With Pandemic Recovery

If your child is struggling with math, it may be due to missed education caused by the pandemic. At Dropkick Math Academy, our math tutoring programs may be able to help. Read on to learn how math tutoring can help fill any gaps in learning or misunderstandings. 

The Impact Of The Pandemic

With the pandemic starting to feel like a distant memory, it is imperative to remember how much of an impact it had on our children. Learning disruptions caused by the pandemic undoubtedly dealt some significant blows to the educational systems globally; it was a massive setback for most schools, and many students could not fully access classes or resources to continue their learning. 

While there were online programs offering support in learning, they simply did not compare to traditional methods and consequently posed challenges for students that have yet to be addressed. It is only now that we are beginning to comprehend what challenges our children faced during the pandemic.

Supporting Children

It can be hard to know how best to support our children. But if there’s one thing that parents realize as this difficult period continues, it’s that tutoring may be the answer when it comes to helping kids get back on track with their education. 

Tutors are not only great for helping your child catch up in certain subjects or boost their confidence – they can also provide guidance and motivation crucial to getting through these tough times. 

Dropkick Math Academy was established with the pandemic in mind, and our specially designed math programs acknowledge the unique difficulties and opportunities that this time presents. With that in mind, our math programs were specifically designed to help students fill any gaps and solve their pandemic-induced frustrations with mathematical concepts. 

Our mission is to provide a fun, interactive experience that doesn’t feel like a burden and can help our students develop a love for mathematics even through pandemic-inspired roadblocks. Our programs are accessible online and feature assistance from certified Ontario teachers for additional support when needed. 

EQAO Testing

A few months ago, EQAO test scores were revealed, and they painted a concerning picture of the state of Ontario’s education. According to the data, an alarming number of kids are struggling with basic literacy and numeracy skills. This is cause for concern, as these deficiencies could have significant implications down the road. Parents need to be aware of these troubling findings and take steps to help their children improve their academic performance.

Now that these test results have been released, many parents are asking what will be done to help students catch up with their missed learning. While it may seem like there is no real plan to get things back on track, educators are working to implement measures to ensure that students can catch up on their education. Each school board is working to help students catch up from the lost learning experienced through the pandemic. However, it may be slow coming and may not be the right solution for your child. 

Math Tutoring Programs

Dropkick Math is here to help students who may have a gap in their education due to the pandemic. As one of the leading math help services in Ontario, our trained instructors can provide support in key math skills through fun and interactive programs. All of our classes are taught by certified Ontario teachers and have a maximum class size of four students. This allows our teachers to offer individualized attention to each student and tailor their teaching style to best suit their specific needs. 

Dropkick Math offers a wide variety of modules for kids of all ages, from addition and subtraction for younger kids all the way up to algebra and geometry for older kids. There are even games specifically designed for different learning styles, so whether your child is a visual learner or needs more of a hands-on approach, we’ve got them covered. And because all of the games are played online, you can access them from anywhere with an internet connection. 

An Alternative To Traditional Math Tutoring

Dropkick Math Academy is proud to be an alternative to traditional tutoring. We stand out amongst our competitors for our unique approach to math education, as we believe learning math should be fun and engaging. We focus on building relationships and offer personalized modules matching the student’s understanding level. 

With Dropkick Math, your child can play and learn simultaneously. They’ll never even realize that they’re doing their homework! And because the games are specifically designed to teach math concepts, you can be sure that your child is getting a quality education.

One of the many benefits of our classes is their rotating schedule. Instead of being limited by semesters or terms, classes start every few weeks, so your child can enroll at any time. This means they won’t have to wait before getting started on their education or progress toward achieving their goals.

Getting Help

If you have noticed your child struggling with mathematics since the pandemic, chances are they have a gap in learning. Research now suggests that math tutoring may be an essential part of pandemic recovery for children. 

Getting them the help they need before they fall too far behind is vital. Without the proper support in learning, they could miss out on essential building blocks of math education, which could cause them to struggle as they continue on through higher grades. 

Dropkick Math Academy is your local choice if you are looking for Waterloo math services! As a local business, we understand our student’s needs and can help boost their confidence in math and set them up for future success. For more information on our programs, visit our website today!

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