How Parents Can Help Their Child Get Better at Maths

Many parents ask how they can help their child get better at maths and keep up with school expectations. Maths is a subject that builds step by step, and small gaps in understanding can make later topics feel much harder than they need to be. With the right support at home, children can strengthen their skills, grow in confidence, and make steady progress.

Build strong foundations

Maths relies on secure basics such as number sense, times tables, and place value. If these foundations are shaky, children may struggle even when working hard. Regular revision of core skills helps children feel more comfortable and prepared when new topics are introduced.

Create a positive and consistent maths routine

Short, regular maths practice is far more effective than occasional long sessions. Aim for focused practice several times a week rather than cramming. Keep the atmosphere calm and encouraging so your child feels supported while learning. The duration of this practice depends on the age of the child. For a year 6 child, it may be around 15 minutes. For years 7 and 8, it may be around 30 minutes.

Encourage understanding, not memorisation

To truly get better at maths, children need to understand why methods work. Ask your child to explain their thinking or show you how they solved a problem. This develops reasoning skills and helps identify misunderstandings early, before they become habits.

Use mistakes as learning opportunities

Mistakes are a normal and important part of learning maths. When your child makes an error, talk through it together and explore different approaches. This helps deepen understanding and builds resilience when tackling more challenging problems.

Link maths to everyday life

Maths becomes more meaningful when children see how it is used outside the classroom. Activities such as cooking (especially baking using spoons and cups teaching fractions), shopping (percentages and discounts), measuring, telling the time, or managing money all reinforce key maths skills in practical ways.

Provide the right level of challenge

Children improve most when work is challenging but achievable. If tasks are too easy, progress slows; if they are too hard, confidence can drop. Adjust the level of difficulty so your child experiences success while still being stretched.

How do I know if my child needs extra support in maths?

It’s not always easy to tell if a child could benefit from additional maths support. Some signs to watch for include struggling with new topics despite regular practice, finding homework consistently challenging, losing confidence with more advanced concepts, or taking longer than expected to complete classwork. If your child is motivated but still finding it difficult to keep up, this is often a good indication that structured, focused support could help them make steady progress and strengthen their understanding.

Small-group maths tutoring can be an excellent way to help children make progress while still receiving individual attention. Working in a group of no more than four students allows teaching to be targeted, interactive, and supportive, while also encouraging discussion and shared problem-solving. Students benefit from hearing different approaches, gaining confidence by contributing, and realising they are not alone in their learning. Carefully structured small-group sessions help identify gaps, strengthen understanding, and support steady improvement in maths skills.

Helping your child get better at maths is about consistent practice, clear understanding, and positive support. With the right approach, children can develop strong maths skills that support their learning now and in the future.