The Benefits of Using Mental Math in Your Homeschool
Many years ago when a lot of children still worked on farms daily, and went to school when the harvest season was over, learned differently. During this time kids learned what was known as mental math, which is when they did not have the need to write problems down on a piece of paper in order to figure them out as they did all the work in their heads. As a homeschooling parent I have found that this is one of the best ways to teach your children. Although there are some who feel that teaching this way takes up too much time and is therefore not beneficial. So I thought that it would be a good idea to write down some of the benefits to teaching your children mental math. As a homeschooling parent you have plenty of time to accomplish this.
1. Quick and more efficient
One of the biggest benefits that I have found is that kids learn to figure problems quicker than kids can who have to write it on paper. This is especially beneficial when they are older and need to figure out things quickly.
2. No need for electronic device
I have also found that doing things this way makes electronic devices not necessary. This means that your child will not be dependent on using a calculator in order to figure out their budget for the month. Or if they decide to start their own business when they are older they will be better equipped to figure out their daily expenses. Of course you can get the same benefits by writing them down, but being able to do things in your head is really the best way in this homeschooling moms opinion.
3. Helps to build a child’s confidence
You will also be amazed at how quickly your child’s confidence will grow as they learn to figure out complex math problems all in their head. There is something truly special about seeing your child figure out a problem all in their head and then seeing the excitement on their face, when they know they have the right answer.
4. Better understanding of math
It’s also nice to see how kids develop a better understanding of math, by being able to figure out numbers in their head. When some kids are forced to complete worksheet after worksheet, it becomes a very boring process with no meaning behind it. Teaching them to figure things out in their head almost forces them to really understand the importance of math in their everyday lives.
5. Enhances problem solving skills
It also helps to enhance your child’s problem solving skills. Not only will this help with math, but this will help with other subjects as well. Mental math is so much more than just memorizing different facts it’s being able to problem solve all in your head.
The end result is that you have children who enjoy doing their school work. Instead of learning to hate books and worksheets. Sadly, it seems that public schools has made learning a lot more complicated than it used to be. Nowadays kids are forced to sit for long periods of time and learn tons of information without really understanding why they are learning it. They are also not learning the real skills they will need later in life. I know everyone has their own opinion on this subject, but based on my personal experience in home school, I have found that teaching mental math is very beneficial for kids in the long run.
