Linking maths to real life

In everyday life, the ability to think mathematically and solve problems is essential. In maths lessons, your child will often be solving word problems, investigations and puzzles – most of which are related to the real world. Many children find it difficult to know what kind of calculation is needed to solve a word problem. You can help your child to develop their problem-solving skills by encouraging them to explain their thinking to you whenever they are solving puzzles.

You can also help your child by asking them questions to help them to:

• tell the time (digital, half past/quarter past/quarter to and 24 hour time).
• read a bus or train timetable and calculate journey times.
• recognise different shapes.
• measure ingredients accurately when baking (in l, ml, kg or g).
• quickly recall their times tables.
• quickly recall basic addition and subtraction facts.