Form a Network to Help Your Child With Math

Sometimes finding help is as easy as opening your mouth...literally. If your child needs help with math, talk with other parents to discover if their children struggle, too. If they do, you may be able to form a support group and exchange ideas and resources to find out what has and has not worked for others and what may or may not work for your situation. I know you've heard it before, "two heads working together is better than one." Suppose you had access to 3 or 5 or 10 brains? You may be surprised as to what you can discover.

What about other parents whose children already excel in math? Don't exclude them from the group as they can help you by telling you HOW their children excel. What habits do their children have that yours don't? What do they find helpful to keep their children on the top? Would their children sit and "talk" with your children about math and how to do better? Bottom line: Open up your mouth and form a network of people to help you help your child with math.

To purchase a book of strategies to help your child with math, go to http://HelpYourChildAchieveInMath.com.

Join the PTA To Get Resources

Sometimes helping your child is as simple as asking what's available. What better place to get resources than your local school's PTA?

While the PTA is often involved in fundraising efforts, it is also a resource house for parents. The PTA is partially for parents, after all. So if you have a need involving your child and school, it is logical that you go to your PTA for help. It may have resources that you never even thought of to help your child with math, and usually all you have to do is ASK for these resources! Why reinvent the wheel, when some of the legwork has already been done for you? Use what they have, and then if you need more resources, go on from there.

The beauty of working with the PTA as opposed to going it alone is that you are collaborating with a group of people. Some of the people may have gone through the exact same thing that you are and have tried different methods. They can tell you what helped for their students and what didn't, what they liked and what they didn't (although this may be different from you) and why. You want to know why this did or didn't work because the same reason that some person might not like the program may be the exact reason that it would be perfect for your situation. Get into the PTA and network with its members!

What if your local PTA doesn't have any resources to help your child with math? Tell them that you need resources for your child with math, and that you are sure your family isn't the only one struggling with this issue. Then ask if the organziation will hold a meeting or seminar on the issue. Usually they will, and to prepare for this meeting or seminar, the presenters will probably put together a package that the participants can take with them, i.e. resources.

To purchase a book of strategies that helps you to help your child with math, go to http://HelpYourChildAchieveInMath.com

Get Your Children Moving to Improve Skills

Watching the Winter Olympics was fascinating! The sheer athleticism of the participants was truly breathtaking.

I began thinking about how their athleticism could translate into better performance for our own children, not that they have to be olympic athletes, of course. But we can help our children learn and retain math better through exercise.

How?

I know that when I exercise my mind is sharper and I can focus more clearly on certain tasks. Those types of after effects of vigorous exercise can help our children perform better in and out of the classroom, too. Unfortunately, too few of us, our children included, experience the invigorating effects of working hard through exercise.

So, to help your child tap into the after effects of rigorous exercise, get them moving! Have your child to exercise for a minimum of 45 minutes each day, working to keep the heartrate up for at least 20 minutes. They do not have to overdo it here, but it should be difficult for them to hold a normal conversation during this time. Some activities that will yield this type of result include jumproping, jumping jacks, skating, biking, climbing stairs, aerobics, cheerleading, football, basketball, racing, soccer, even playing on the Wii! Find something that your children enjoy and make sure to incorporate it into their daily schedule either through an organized team or just a set amount of time at home. Get moving!

For more strategies to help your child with math, purchase a 38 page guidebook at http:HelpYourChildAchieveInMath.com.