As a parent of a child with a math disability, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to help your child succeed. The journey can feel like navigating a bridge with missing steps, but understanding the crucial role of numeracy can be the solid first step you need. This article delves into the importance of numeracy and how you, as a parent, can support your child’s foundational understanding of numbers, even when schools may not provide the necessary focus.
Recognizing that numeracy is more than just knowing numbers is essential for parents of children with math disabilities
Numeracy is often misunderstood as simply knowing numbers, but it goes much deeper. It’s about understanding what makes a number what it is, beyond the digits we recognize. For children with math disabilities, this foundational understanding is often missing, making all other math concepts shaky and difficult to grasp. As a parent, recognizing this can be the first step in helping your child build a solid bridge to math success.
For children with dyscalculia, ensure they grasp the foundational concept of numeracy—the understanding of what numbers represent and their relationships—before progressing, as this is crucial for all future math learning.
Parents must understand that numeracy involves recognizing the relationships between numbers, not just memorizing them
The technical term for numeracy is the property of a number, which involves understanding the quantity a number represents and its relationships with other numbers. For example, understanding what makes five “five” and how it relates to six or fifty. Many children with math disabilities struggle because they lack this innate sense of numeracy. As a parent, you can help your child by focusing on these relationships rather than just memorizing facts and rules.
If it’s not there, if you don’t have a solid sense of numeracy, all the other steps are going to be really hard and really shaky.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Parents should be aware that schools may not specifically teach numeracy, making it crucial for them to take an active role in their child’s learning
Surprisingly, numeracy is rarely taught explicitly in schools, even though it is the foundation for all levels of math. This means that as a parent, you cannot rely solely on the school system to address this critical gap in your child’s education. Instead, you must take an active role in helping your child develop a solid sense of numeracy, using tools and resources that may not be available in the classroom.
Key takeaways
- Understanding Numeracy: It's crucial for parents to recognize that numeracy goes beyond simple counting or recognizing numbers. Numeracy involves understanding the properties and relationships of numbers, such as knowing that five can be made up of different combinations like 3+2 or 4+1. This foundational understanding is often missing in children with dyscalculia, and addressing this gap can significantly improve their math skills.
- Importance of Early Intervention: Parents should seek early intervention that focuses on building a solid sense of numeracy. Even if a child is in a higher grade, it's never too late to go back to the basics. Specialized interventions that help children understand what numbers represent and how they relate to each other can unlock their curiosity and improve their overall math learning experience.
- Avoiding Memorization-Based Learning: For children with dyscalculia, relying solely on memorizing math facts and rules can be ineffective. Instead, parents should encourage learning methods that involve visual aids and manipulative tools to help their child grasp the concept of numbers and their relationships. This approach can make learning more engaging and less frustrating for the child.
Parents can use available tools like Number Sense and Core Skills of Math to help their child develop a strong foundation in numeracy
Fortunately, there are resources available to help parents support their child’s numeracy development. Programs like Number Sense and Core Skills of Math can provide the tools and guidance needed to help your child understand the flexibility and relationships of numbers. By using these resources, you can help your child build a strong foundation that will make all other math concepts more accessible and less daunting.
Had I not been introduced to the concept of numeracy, we would have just been having her memorize this fact, memorize that fact, memorize this rule.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
By focusing on developing their child’s numeracy, parents can overcome the challenge of math disabilities and help their child achieve a better life through improved math skills
The challenge of a math disability can feel overwhelming, but as a parent, you have the power to make a significant difference in your child’s life. By focusing on developing your child’s numeracy using tools like Number Sense and Core Skills of Math, you can help them overcome the gaps in their understanding and build a solid foundation for future math success. This not only improves their academic performance but also boosts their confidence and opens up more opportunities for their future.
Empower your child’s math journey with the Brain Bloom System—a tool designed to strengthen their foundational understanding of numbers and build confidence in math.
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