8 Practical Tips To Make Your Kid Good At Math & Science

Mathematics and Science are the two subjects about which every parent worries. If a kid is strong in both, he/she is sure to perform well at school, board exams and in any future test or job related to them. If a kid is not good at them, he/she might begin to believe that these two subjects are “not his/her cup of tea.”
Fortunately enough, very few kids actually find these two subjects tough. They simply haven’t learned the right way. Here are eight tips which will help your kid get better at them.

1. Build the Basics Before Proceeding Forward

Math is like a chain. One weak link causes the entire structure to be unstable. For instance, if the student has problems with fractions, then he/she will definitely have problems with algebra too, while if he/she could not figure out ratios, then physics numericals will also pose a challenge for him/her.
Take some time to review the basics again – multiplication tables, percentages, basic equations, etc. It may seem that you are going back, but you will proceed quickly.

2. Ask “Why” Rather than “What”

Students who remember formulas do not retain them for long. Students who know the background of the formulas can derive them even when they are under the pressure of an examination.
Make your children explain the concepts in their own language. If they are able to make you understand the concepts, they have understood them. While studying science, ask them questions like “Why does ice float?” or “Why do we see lightning before hearing thunder?”

3. Practice a Little Bit Each Day

Math cannot be crammed; it should be done just like in any sport or music – little and often is better than once for a long time prior to the test.
It should take around 30 to 45 minutes of practice a day, including both easy and harder tasks to help your child practice speed and develop self-confidence simultaneously. Maintain a notebook of all the mistakes and revise it weekly because there are usually only five to six mistakes which most kids do again and again. Math and science coaching in Santacruz helps students get good practice everyday. 

4. Make the Connection between Science and Everyday Life

Science becomes boring when it is limited to a textbook. Teach your child to connect it with the world around them:

• How a pressure cooker can cook quickly
• Why a refrigerator keeps food cool
• The reason for the monsoon
• How soap cleans grease

Simple experiments at home, science museums, and good documentaries will help learn the chapter much better than revising notes.

5. Encourage Doubt

The main reason why children fail in class is because their doubts are not addressed. A child might be too shy to ask when there are many people around him, hence, his doubts continue to develop.
When at home, make the environment conducive for questions. Never respond with "this is so simple" or "you should have known this before." Celebrate the process of questioning. A child who does this is learning.

6. Train in Exam Techniques, Not Just Content Knowledge

Most often, students are aware of the answer but somehow score low. The issue is generally their exam techniques. Assist your child to:

• Read the question completely before answering
• Write the solution step by step in mathematics to avoid marks deduction
• Draw clear labeled diagrams in science
• Manage time throughout the test
• Use the last 10 minutes to revise

Practicing previous year papers and sample papers within time will make the actual exam more familiar.

7. Opt for the Right Coaching, Not Just Any Coaching

Not all the time can home tutoring suffice, and it is absolutely alright. Parents have to juggle many things at once; the curriculum is quite tough, and there are certain things that require expertise for their explanation. Here comes the importance of quality coaching.

If you are in search of math and science coaching in Mumbai, do not decide based on the advertisements. Focus on the quality of the actual classes. Parents from the western suburbs generally prefer math and science coaching in Santacruz because of the convenience it offers in terms of travel time, leaving the child fresh for studies. If the child requires specific help in math, math coaching in Santacruz is sought after by parents.

8. Build Your Child’s Confidence

This could be the most important piece of advice. The child who thinks “I’m bad at math” will not want to do it, and then lack of doing ensures poor performance. The child who thinks “I can get better with effort” will continue to try.

Celebrate small victories like scoring higher on a test, working out a hard equation, or explaining something well. Do not compare your child to his or her peers or cousins. All students learn in their own time and consistent progress is much more valuable than getting full marks every time.

Also look for stress. If your child seems stressed, is having trouble sleeping, or is refusing to even open their books, be concerned. At times, a less intense schedule or approach can make all the difference.

Simple Routine That You Can Follow

For those looking for some direction, this is one easy way to get started:
Monday to Friday: Math practice for 30 to 45 minutes and Science learning/revision for 20 to 30 minutes.
Saturday: Solving one practice test paper and revising mistakes
Sunday: Revision for a while, doing some fun activity in science

Final Words

Being good at math and science has nothing to do with being a genius. It depends on having good fundamentals, regular practice, good explanations, and good environment.

Combining proper routines at home with proper coaching outside be it from teachers at schools or best math & science coaching in Mumbai according to the requirements of your child will give good results.

Go slowly, be patient, and know that confidence builds up with each problem solved. Math and science can be fun topics for your child.
Fit it around your child’s schooling routine and energy levels. Consistency is all that matters.