“Average” is only for numbers. Some students need a more customized and creative math approach.

Traditional math instruction is designed for “traditional” students. But, what if your student has learning differences and needs remedial math guidance. Or, what about kids especially savvy with numbers who need gifted math intervention? Out-of-the-box learners need a more custom-made approach to building number sense. This could include:

  • using visual math approaches such as manipulatives (concrete or virtual objects) to represent numbers and symbols
  • providing accommodations for specific weaknesses such as letting children with spatial deficits use graph paper to line up subtraction problems
  • accelerating a student to more advanced math if he or she shows signs of boredom
  • modeling problem-solving strategies for difficult tasks
  • giving children opportunities to connect math concepts to real-life situations
  • avoiding criticism and instead building on known strengths
  • using game-based review and remediation tools

Math is More Than Sums and Products

Gifted math students are often naturals when it comes to memorizing their multiplication tables, dividing fractions, or determining percentages. Arithmetic (manipulation of numbers), though, is only one aspect of mathematics (theory of numbers). Remedial math students who struggle with number sense may show incredible strengths in other math areas such as geometry, algebra, or probability. You may feel much better about your particular student’s struggles in math when you see that they may simply have strengths in one area of math and weaknesses in others.

Putting the “Fun” in Fundamentals

When working with your children on the math areas they are weakest in, don’t hesitate to use out-of-the-box strategies that incorporate the things they already love. Games like Monopoly™, Candyland™, and even video games such as Madden NFL™ and Lego Dimensions™ help students practice number sense. Putting your child in charge of the meal planning and grocery shopping one week a month requires an enormous amount of intuitive math skills. Time4Learning’s interactive math lessons and the wide array of math games on Learning Games for Kids are another way to blend education with fun.

Honoring Your Child’s Uniqueness

Because every child falls into a different place on the math learning spectrum, it’s important not to lean on a one-size-fits-all approach. Every student deserves a math program that is customized to their specific needs. Time4Learning’s math curriculum can help. We offer access to up to three grade levels of instruction, the ability to pick and choose lessons based on concepts needing review, and a multimedia style that keeps kids motivated to learn. Try one of the many math demo lessons to see if Time4Learning’s unique approach is a good fit for your one-of-a-kind student.