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Unlocking The Power of Mental Math

Are you ready to take your child’s math skills to the next level? Unlocking the power of mental math can give them a competitive edge, allowing them to solve problems quickly and accurately. Mental mathematics improves problem-solving ability and cultivates practical thinking abilities that will serve children in myriad ways throughout their lives. 

Equipping your child with this valuable skill gives them an advantage for success both now and in future years. Keep reading to learn more about how parents can empower learners through mental mathematics!

What Is Mental Math?

Mental math is a type of mental calculation which entails completing mathematical computations using cognitive processes, as opposed to the traditional approach of writing down equations and working them out with pencil and paper. It involves memorizing facts, recalling numerical relationships and understanding the principles behind calculations. In short, it is doing math in your head without using a pencil and paper or a calculator.  

Mental math encompasses simple arithmetic sums, such as addition or subtraction, all the way to problems of more advanced complexity. It includes various mental strategies for finding solutions quickly by employing a variety of mental cues and approaches. People who are proficient at mental math can often do complex mental calculations faster than those who rely on mechanical methods, even though both yield the same result.

How Is Mental Math Used In Everyday Life

While the idea of mental math may cause some to run away in a fit of anxiety, you may be surprised to learn that we use it in everyday life. Anytime math seems scary, it can be helpful to point out how we already use it without even realizing it. 

For example, if your child is anxious about mental math, help them see how they use it daily. Mental math is used in situations such as computing the sale price for an item at a store. Or for working out whether they have enough money to buy something from a store. They also use mental math to ensure they get the correct change from the cashier or even to figure out when they need to leave the house to get to school on time. 

Once children (and some parents!) understand that mental math doesn’t have to be scary, it can help them to understand math concepts better. Practicing mental math regularly can help children improve their number sense. 

To help your child practice their mental math, try giving examples of real-life situations for them to work out without using a pencil, paper, or calculator. For example:

Which is a better deal?

Purchasing a box of 10 packs of gum for $18.00 or buying individual packages for $2.25 each? Help them see that by using mental math, they can quickly estimate that the 10-pack must cost less than $2.00 per package because 10 x 2 = 20. Explain how this is a better deal because, individually, the packages cost more than $2.00.

Getting To The Answer Quickly

Some children may like to hear that mental math can actually get to the answer more quickly. Breaking down numbers into values makes it easier for some children to understand complex equations. 

For example, ask your child:

What is 48 + 66?

Explain to your child that these large numbers may seem daunting at first, but breaking them down can help. It is easier to do in their head if they start by adding 40 + 60 = 100 and then 8 + 6 = 14. They can then add those two numbers together to get the answer of 114. 

With Dropkick Math tutoring, we understand that mental math is an essential skill that needs to be practiced, as repetition is vital. Children need to repeat their multiplication tables and be able to use other data for mathematical computation. 

To learn mental math at home, flashcards can be an excellent learning aid. Brain teasers can also be a clever way to help your child understand how numbers work. Puzzles and riddles such as Sudoku and crosswords can help to improve their mental math ability while providing a fun and engaging activity. 

If all of this is enough to give you, the parent, nightmares, don’t worry. At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe in educating parents and children together. We want parents to learn alongside their children so you are better equipped to help them when they come to you for help with their homework. Working together can help instill confidence and a passion for learning in your child.

Memory Skills Required 

Mental math requires excellent memory skills as math facts and other number concepts must be retrieved from long-term memory. The brain also uses working memory during mental math, which helps keep track of the steps needed to solve a particular problem. 

At this point, you may be wondering why it is important for children to learn mental math since, in this day and age, we all have a calculator handy on our smartphones. Mental math is vital to a child’s development because it helps to stimulate the brain. Math skills exercise the left brain, while mental math can help stimulate the right side. This helps your child grow their creativity. And as an added bonus, as mentioned above, it can also help give their memory a workout. 

Many online activities can help your child practice their mental math skills. Here at Dropkick Math Academy, we teach children mental math strategies for faster calculations. Our virtual programs can engage your child and help to improve their mental math abilities, so they have the foundation needed for future mathematical success. 

If your child is struggling with mental math, it doesn’t mean they are not smart. Children all develop mental math skills at their own pace and may just need more time and practice to catch up. Our certified Ontario teachers understand how children learn and can offer personalized learning thanks to our small class sizes. Our math tutoring programs provide a unique way for students to learn math fundamentals and have fun doing it!

Learn more about our programs and how we use game-based learning to make math fun and engaging for your child. 

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Why Your Child Should Practice Mental Math

As a parent, you want your child to excel in school. You may not realize it, but one of the best ways to help them improve their math grades is to encourage them to practice mental math. Mental math is simply solving math problems in their head without needing paper and a pencil. By using mental math practices, children can understand mathematics better. Here are three reasons why your child should practice mental math.

Greater Understanding

Many math learning techniques can help children with mathematics, but understanding how to do math mentally is one of the top practices to help children succeed in their future. When children can solve problems mentally, they are forced to think about the mathematical principles involved in the problem. This helps them to develop a deeper understanding of the concept. 

For example, when adding two numbers mentally, children must understand that they are combining two groups of objects and that the answer will be the total number of objects in both groups. This understanding is critical for more complex concepts such as multiplication and division.

Become Better Problem-Solvers

Mental math requires children to find creative ways to solve problems. For example, when confronted with a difficult division problem, children may have to think of creative ways to break down the problem into smaller pieces that they can then solve mentally. 

By working through a problem mentally, children can see how the various parts of a problem fit together. This deep understanding will allow them to tackle more complicated problems in the future and will serve them well in all areas of their lives, not just mathematics.

Improve Memory And Concentration

Mental math requires children to remember mathematical principles and formulas while also concentrating on the problem at hand. This focus and concentration will help them remember information better and improve their ability to concentrate on tasks for extended periods of time. All of these skills are important not just for school but for life in general. 

The Research Behind Mental Math

Mental math has been recognized through various studies as a way to help children get a better understanding of mathematics. One such study was published in the journal Cogent Education which analyzed 118 students in grade 5, exploring how mental computation and mathematical reasoning affect each other.

Researchers found a significant positive correlation between mental computation and mathematical reasoning. It was noted that rather than exposing students to familiar math problems, students need to be encouraged to do mental computing on non-routine problems in order to develop their skills. 

Another interesting study from Duke University looked at mental math from a health perspective. All participants in the study had brain scans done after performing mental math. It was found that mental math engages the brain’s prefrontal cortex which has been linked to better emotional health. 

Practicing Mental Math

Practicing mental math with your child is an easy and effective way of learning. When a child is taught rounding, estimating and fact fluency, as well as having them remember and reproduce steps and solutions, they are performing mental math. So, you may already be practicing mental math with your child and not even realize it!

If you are having trouble getting your child motivated to practice mental math, the key may be to make it fun. For example, math problems based on real-life situations can engage students by providing clear, tangible ways to apply knowledge. 

A great way to involve your child and use their mental math skills is by taking them to the grocery store. There are multiple ways they can test their mental math skills by calculating discounts on products, estimating the weight of fruits and vegetables, and even calculating how much meat it will take to feed the family dinner. Not only will your child find the lesson more interesting, but they will understand why it is worth knowing. 

A Valuable Skill

Mental math is a valuable skill that all children should learn. It has been proven to help children better understand mathematical concepts, become better problem-solvers, and improve memory and concentration skills. So encourage your child to put away the calculator and start practicing mental math today!

Mental Math At Dropkick Math Academy

At Dropkick Math, we are an alternative to an online math tutor as we don’t just address the child’s issues at the time. Our certified Ontario teachers get to the root of the misunderstanding and help fill in any educational gaps a child may be experiencing. Part of our curriculum identifies the importance of practicing mental math, and our teachers encourage their students to use mental math skills.

Our programs offer a fun and engaging way of learning, which has been proven to keep children interested and wanting to learn more. By focusing on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning) our students learn the fundamentals of mathematics and build upon their knowledge. 

Dropkick Math Academy offers math programs in Toronto and the surrounding areas. All of our programs offer small-group virtual programming taught by certified Ontario teachers. This allows your child to learn in a comfortable and familiar setting while receiving the individualized attention they need to succeed. Learn more about our programs today!