When it comes to math skills, it's all in the game
While Americans excel in many, many areas, math -- when compared to other countries -- is not one. Yet. According to the Broad Foundation, a group dedicated to improving the scores of students in math and science, American students rank 25th in math compared to 30 other industrialized nations. By the end of eighth grade, American students as a group are two years behind the math being studied by peers abroad.
Whether your child loves numbers or not, bringing your child into the fold by playing some math games will likely improve their skills. Try a few of these websites for math games and other math-related activities:
IXL: This appears to be a site frequented by teachers, but parents and children certainly are welcome to take advantage of their many and highly detailed zones for students, pre-K through algebra. Click on a grade and discover what skills that grade level is learning; click on a skill and timed grade-appropriate math games appear. Unfortunately, after reaching your limit, you are asked to obtain a fee-based membership. The site also incudes state-by-state standards listings so you can check out the requirements for your state.
COOL MATH: There is a lot here to see, do and learn. While most online math games' websites target the younger child, Cool Math doesn't leave anyone out, including pre-calculus (and calculus) students. Activity advice for parents is solid i.e. preschool readiness games: ("Have a Number Hunt! How many places in the house can you find numbers?"). There are math lessons, math practice -- even a math dictionary. Online puzzles allow you to choose the number of pieces you want the puzzle split into. This is just one reason they bill themselves as the "amusement park" of math.
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service): The same people who bring your infants and toddlers educational fun on TV also bring you activities for teaching them math at a very early age (infant and toddler through second grade). The site includes tips (common sense suggestions such as talking about the math around you) and resources (fun math books for little ones, practical ones for you). Activities for your littlest ones include directions for creating a home game of matching and measuring ingredients for a no-bake snack.
Tip from the parenting trenches: Play math games together as a family. Look for opportunities to discuss how math matters in our everyday lives.