How do you explain equations to a child?
An equation is a statement showing a given mathematical side’s left-hand side and an equivalent right-hand side. Sometimes either side might be complex and while explaining to a child, one needs to be mindful of the complexity.
Generally, kids don’t have a lot of formulae to remember but it is intrinsic to start with the basics at a very young age.
Here are a few tips to break down equations and make them easy for your child:
5 Ways to Explain the Concept of Equations to Your Kid
1. Start with simple examples
Begin with simple equations that the child can understand easily. This is my favorite part and I have tried this method with my kids.
- Start by defining what an equation is.
- Show them how the equation works using visual aids or real-life objects.
- Help them relate basic equations to objects they have which is going to make it a practical experience.
Start with telling the intention so the child knows where he or she is heading so the path becomes clearer.
2. Use familiar language:
Try to explain the equation in language that the child is familiar with.
For example, instead of saying “3x + 4 = 10”, you could say
“If you have 3 toys, and I give you 4 more, how many toys do you have in total?”
Hence the child will get to thinking about how to arrive at an answer.
This method would encourage active participation of the child and also put their mind to think and ponder on the equations that are taught.
Read Also – How to Make Online Classes Interesting For PreSchoolers?
3. Break it down:
Break the equation down into smaller parts and explain each part separately.
For example, in equation 3x + 4 = 10, you can break the equation using the following steps –
- Explain that 3x means 3 groups of x and that the equation is trying to find the value of x.
- Help the child understand that one side exists to break it down and solve it just to make it like the other side of any given equation.
- Hence the child would know where you are going in the process of breaking down the equation.
Read Also – What is integral calculus? Its types and methods to evaluate it.
4. Use physical objects and activities:
Use hands-on activities to help the child visualize the equation.
For example, use blocks or counters to represent the different parts of the equation.
If we have two triangles to form a square, we might be able to determine that the area is equal to the original square if we can stack the two triangles on top of the square and they are the same size.
No matter how much we divide a square into different parts the area stays the same. They are said to be in balance.
So the end point of any equation is to bring forth balance on both sides. The most complicated side is to be deduced to simplify and equate to the side that is simpler.
5. Practice sufficiently:
Provide lots of opportunities for the child to practice solving equations.
Use different types of equations and gradually increase the difficulty level as the child becomes more confident.
Revision of the concepts and the mathematical symbols, especially about what they do, on a periodic basis, helps them retain the learning in their minds.
Read Also – How To Help Your Children Learn Maths?
Make the child draft new equations based on the methods you taught them to test their understanding of your teaching.
Remember to be patient and encouraging, and always check that the child understands before moving on to more complex equations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, teaching children the concept of equations can be a challenging task, but it is crucial for their mathematical development. By incorporating fun and engaging methods such as games, real-life examples, and visual aids, parents can make the learning experience enjoyable and effective.FAQ's
It is possible to learn Algebra by yourself. However, you’ll need an online course that incorporates the teacher into all aspects of the syllabus. The most effective way to learn Algebra by yourself is to make sure that every lesson includes audio and video explanations of the examples and the problems for practice.
Any Algebra 1 student who wants to achieve an A grade must master the understanding of these concepts and abilities.
- Arithmetic
- Order of Operations
- Integers
- Working with Variables
- Memorizing Formulas
- The Organizing of problems on paper
The following fundamental ideas during Algebra 1.
- Simplifying
- Equations and Inequalities
- Word Problems
- Functions and graphing
- Linear Equations
- Systems of Equations
- Polynomials and Exponents
- Factoring
- Rational Expressions
- Radicals
- Quadratics
If you’re looking for ways to get through Algebra 1, the key is getting individualized instruction. The past was when this was costly private tutoring. Today, however, it is affordable. Algebra online tuition is now available via videos and guided exercises that include audio explanations at home.
Algebra 1 takes about 6 to 12 months to master. The length of time it takes to learn depends on the student’s math knowledge and ability to learn math naturally and what time they have allocated for assistance each day.
