Singapore Math is a program with a unique framework with a focus on building problem-solving skills and an in-depth understanding of essential math skills. 100% of primary schools in Singapore uses the Singaporean Math Model Approach. This is why it is so important for a child to master the methodology to be able to do well in school. In a typical classroom, the ratio of students to teachers is about 30 kids to 1 teacher and the attention given to each and every student by a teacher would be much lesser as compared to a one kid to one parent ratio. Find your child uninterested in Math? Here are a few possible reasons:
Your child isn’t doing well in school for the Math subject. This is a vicious cycle that happens for most students. When a child doesn’t understand the math problems they simply are not able to solve it and because of that they will not do well in school. Hence, they are not interested in the Math subject.
Your child is a visual learner. Math problems are usually presented in word forms especially during homework given and examinations. This is a problem for most visual learners as they are unable to process the questions in their head which they would subsequently cause them to find Mathematics boring.
Incomplete Instructions given to your child. As mentioned earlier, with an average student to teacher ratio of 30 kids to 1 teacher, your child may just not be given enough attention when it comes to helping them understand Mathematics concept.
Most of the time, children are not given complete instructions especially in a classroom setting and because of social stigma and isolation most kids would not ask questions to clarify their doubts because they don’t want to look dumb in front of their classmates while some kids just simple don’t know what they don’t know.
Hence, giving out full clear instructions is the responsibility of the person teaching.
Child is exposed to drill over-kill. The reason why kids these days find Math boring is because most schools and tuition centres give these children pages and pages of homework. Instead of helping the kids to understand a particular Math concept, they believe that drilling the kids with similar questions and committing it to memory is the most effective way of getting a child to memorize how to do this type of questions.
The Singaporean Math Model might seem irrelevant and unnecessary for children in the lower primary. However, it is never too early to give your child a head-start. This will give your child a boost in confidence at a younger age when solving Mathematics problems. When this skill is mastered, it will help them to a great extent at the upper primary levels where problem sums become more and challenging. For parents with kids in the lower primary, it is an perfect time to start cultivating this concept in your children and getting them interested in Mathematics at a younger age.
