Kids are being left behind because they don’t have adequate math skills, they simply aren’t prepared for math at the high school level.  You as a parent can take the initiative to make them more comfortable using math by preparing early.  Get them comfortable with math so they are not afraid of it later. If you teach your child math early they will have a better foundation in the future.

Here are some tips to prepare your children to be great at math!

1. Start counting early, before they even start preschool they should be able to count to ten. They also need to grasp small numbers, use familiar objects so they understand. Two hands, two feet.  Five fingers on each hand and ten fingers and toes altogether.
2. Once they start preschool work your way up to 20. They can also start to understand basic addition, 1+1=2.  They also need to start getting comfortable with fractions, cut fruit or sandwiches in half.
3. Children in kindergarten should be able to count past 20 and understand there are big numbers too.
4. First grade math students needs comprehend basic math facts. The school will start teaching this concept to them at the same time.
5. The next two grades nail down the basics, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They should be able to do basic arithmetic with numbers between 0-12.  If they are struggling there are worksheets and flash cards.  Help them with this as much as possible, this is the groundwork for everything else they will ever do in math.  If your child has a strong foundation then algebra and fractions will come much easier.
6. By the fourth grade your child needs to have mastered fractions. This is also where problems start, again try worksheets or tutors if there are problems.
7. With all the stages thus far your child needs to be able to do the math on paper and in their head. Mental math makes children comfortable with math, math phobias stem from not being comfortable with doing math in your head.  Ask your child to calculate prices while you’re shopping, for example if apples are $.60 how much will 3 of them cost.  You can get them to recite times tables, it’s a bit old fashioned but it works.  This will prepare them for the future when they finally start doing word problems.  Children who are at ease with mental math have no problem with word problems.

Once your children reach middle school and high school they need to have an effective algebra teacher.  You may think you don’t need algebra but you do!  Not being able to understand algebra and math reduces anything in the sciences as a career choice.  Fight for your child’s ability to have any career they want.