Why Using Real-Life Examples Can Inspire A Love Of Math In Children

One of the biggest problems children face when it comes to learning new concepts in math is feeling the disassociation between the concepts they learn and real-life application. This may lead them to become less inclined to learn new concepts, especially if these concepts are challenging and hard to understand. In order to deal with this problem, consider using real-life examples to inspire a deeper understanding and love for the subject.

How Do Real-Life Examples Help?

When children feel that the concepts they learn are far-fetched and not going to help them in their day-to-day life, children will tend to question the significance  of these concepts and the point of learning them. However, math is used in daily life, from telling time to counting the bills at the grocery store. 

When children understand the relevance of math in their daily lives, they will be more inclined to learn the subject and gradually build up a love for this subject. As the child goes on to build a strong foundation in math, they will be better able to tackle and master other more advanced topics with less frustration. Parents and teachers can share the real-life applications of math to help children gain a deeper understanding of the subject’s importance. Here are some real-life examples where math is important:

Finances

Math is very important when it comes to finances—things like budgeting often involve addition and subtraction, and concepts like income and expenses are frequently used in daily life. Furthermore, shopping at places like the grocery store requires understanding basic multiplication, percentages, and the concept of weight to get the accurate cost of items.

Careers

In some careers, a strong foundation in math is required. For instance, doctors and scientists will need to learn how to derive data from mathematical models to extract insights. Analysts will need to understand how to effectively use statistics while artists or animators will need to use different numbers of frames in order to form a working illusion or animation.

Cooking

If your child is interested in food, cooking, and baking, let them know that math is always present in the kitchen. Math is needed to accurately measure out portions and recipes, and it is also important to understand conversion to measure quarts, cups, and tablespoons when making food.

Telling Time

One of the most basic life lessons from math would be learning how to tell the time or calculate the time needed. This will be very helpful for students to make their daily schedule, factoring in the time needed to travel, go to school, and ensure punctuality through precise calculations.

JEI Can Help Develop a Love for Math in Your ChildrenIf your child requires extra help understanding math concepts, consider sending them to a learning center. Here at JEI Learning Center, we combine proven methods with a low student-to-instructor ratio to ensure everyone learns well. Visit us to get started on your child’s learning journey with us today!