You don’t need to be good at maths to help your child with it. The most useful things parents do are everyday: talking about numbers, playing games, staying positive about maths, and supporting homework with questions rather than answers. Here’s how — even if maths was never your favourite subject.
Your attitude matters more than your maths
Children notice how adults talk about maths. “I was rubbish at maths” can quietly suggest that being bad at it is normal or inherited. Try instead: “Maths was tricky for me, but let’s work it out together.” Staying calm and curious is one of the most helpful things you can do.
Everyday maths that builds skills
- Cooking: measuring, doubling a recipe, halving it, timing.
- Shopping: comparing prices, estimating the total, working out change.
- Travel: time, distance, reading timetables.
- Sport: scores, averages, statistics.
- Money: pocket money, saving for something, percentages off in sales.
- Telling the time on analogue clocks.
Games that teach maths
- Card games and dice games — adding, comparing, quick recall.
- Board games with counting and money.
- “Guess my number” with yes/no questions.
- Estimation challenges: “How many grapes are in the bowl?”
- Puzzles, patterns and building blocks for spatial thinking.
Helping with maths homework
- Ask them to explain the method from class before you show yours. Methods may have changed since you were at school.
- Ask questions, don’t give answers: “What is the question asking? What do you know already?”
- Estimate first so they can tell if an answer is reasonable.
- Check the exercise book for a worked example from class.
- Let mistakes happen, then ask them to check.
If the methods confuse you, read when you don’t understand your child’s maths homework.
Topics that cause the most trouble
- Times tables — how to teach times tables
- Fractions — how to explain fractions
- Word problems — how to help with word problems
- Early algebra — how to explain algebra
By age
- 5–7: counting, sorting, shapes, simple adding and taking away with objects.
- 8–10: times tables, money, time, measuring, early fractions.
- 11–13: fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and early algebra in real contexts.
- Teens: stay positive, help with organisation and revision, and point to resources the school recommends.
Common mistakes
- Teaching your old method before checking the school’s.
- Doing the homework for them.
- Negative talk about maths.
- Only doing maths at homework time. Everyday maths matters.
Frequently asked questions
How can I help my child with maths if I’m bad at it?
Stay positive, use everyday maths, ask questions instead of giving answers, and ask your child to teach you their method. You can also get the topic explained to you first.
How can I improve my child’s maths at home?
Short regular practice, everyday maths in cooking and shopping, games, and support with specific gaps the teacher identifies.
Should I teach my child the way I learned?
Check the school’s method first. Showing a different method too early can confuse. Once they’re confident, comparing methods can deepen understanding.
My child hates maths. What can I do?
Find the specific sticking point, build small wins, use games and real life, and keep your own language about maths positive.
Next steps
This week, add one bit of everyday maths to a routine you already have — cooking or shopping — and play one maths game. When homework comes home, ask your child to explain their method to you first.