How you can help at home

At Sacred Heart Primary School, we believe that helping your child with maths at home doesn’t have to be daunting. Everyday moments are full of opportunities to build number sense, confidence, and a positive attitude towards maths. Here are some practical tips, strategies, and useful resources to support you and your child.

Make Maths Part of Everyday Life

You can turn daily activities into fun maths opportunities. Cooking, shopping, or travelling can all be used to talk about numbers, measurements, and money. For example, ask your child to help double a recipe or estimate the cost of items in the shop.

Encourage “math talk”: ask open questions like, “How can we check if that’s right?” or “What would happen if…?”. Prompt your child to explain their reasoning and celebrate their effort, not just the correct answers.

Use Structured Home Activities

There are lots of free, engaging activities designed for families. The National Numeracy Family Maths Toolkit has over 200 short maths challenges linked to real life, suitable for children aged 4–11. You can download or print these activities to enjoy together weekly — it shows children that maths is part of everyday life, not just something they do at school.

Learn the Methods Your Child Is Being Taught

Maths teaching methods have changed since many parents were at school. Websites like Families Learning Together provide videos and clear instructions so that you can use the same methods and language your child uses in class.

Twinkl also offers parent guides for different year groups and topics, such as addition, subtraction, and algebra. These guides help you understand what your child is learning and how to support them at home.

Build Your Own Confidence

If maths makes you nervous, you’re not alone — but your attitude matters. Try to stay positive and avoid saying things like “I was never good at maths.” Instead, talk about how you can work it out together.

National Numeracy offers guidance to help parents develop their own number confidence, including tips and resources for adults.

Use Games and Interactive Tools

The NRICH Maths at Home section has a wide range of games, puzzles, and tasks that encourage problem-solving and reasoning. Doing these together gives you the chance to talk through strategies and enjoy maths in a fun way.

You can also use simple household items — coins, Lego, or measuring cups — to help your child model concepts. This hands-on approach helps build understanding, not just procedural skills.

Talk to Your Child’s School

Always feel free to ask your child’s teacher for ideas that align with what they are learning in class. At Sacred Heart Primary School, we welcome parents’ involvement, and working in partnership can really reinforce learning. If you’re unsure about anything, please do ask!