According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, “a lack of mathematical competence closes the doors for opportunities.” They say practice makes perfect. This thinking goes back to ancient Greece where Aristotle said: “it is frequent repetition that produces a natural tendency”. But we don’t just need to rely on the wise words of Greek philosophers, as it really boils down to common sense. With almost anything you do in life, the more time and effort you put into them, the more skilled you become.

Learning is no different. When you learn something new, a pathway is created in your brain. The more frequently you “travel that pathway”, or repeat the thought (such as learning math facts, a poem, lines for a play), the more likely you will be able to recall the information at a later stage.

So what can parents do help kids learn the fundamentals of reading math through repetition?
Math is part of life: The sooner you start identifying math is all around us with your child the better.
Schedule learning: Scheduling math activities with your kids will help them get into practice. Keep the sessions short and focused. Make sure the practice sessions become part of your routines, so your child will come to expect them.
Play math games: Make time for math mobile games like Math Bout and counting games.