Use Visual Aids or Manipulatives
Make Maths Visible, Touchable And Real – Right In Your Own Home
Ever tried explaining a tricky maths problem and watched your child’s eyes glaze over? That’s not because they’re lazy. It’s because they can’t see it yet. Imagine trying to build a Lego set without the picture on the box – confusing, right? Maths works the same way. Young learners are naturally hands-on and visual. When they get to see, touch and move their way through a problem, understanding suddenly takes shape.
“When kids see it, feel it, move it…they believe it, understand it, master it.”
Picture this: your child is struggling with 2 × 6. You grab 12 pasta shells and group them into two rows of six. Then you switch it to six rows of two. You ask: “What do you notice?” And suddenly – it clicks. They see what the numbers mean, not just what they say. Visualising maths turns confusion into confidence. It transforms abstract symbols into something they can grasp – literally.
When we use real-world objects, sketches or simple tools, children shift from memorising to understanding. At My5MMT, we embed these strategies into our lessons, encouraging children to model their thinking with drawings, diagrams and manipulatives. It's not extra – it's essential. This approach builds strong number sense, spatial awareness and logic. It makes learning stick in a joyful, brain-friendly way.
But without visual support, children are left to rely on memory or mental gymnastics. That’s where frustration grows. They feel “lost” and don’t know how to begin. Over time, they may start saying, “I just don’t get it” or “I hate maths” – not because they can’t learn it, but because they can’t see it. And that barrier often leads to self-doubt and disengagement.
The good news? You don’t need fancy tools or a teaching degree.
You’ve already got what you need in your kitchen drawer, craft box or toy basket. With just a handful of coins or a sketch on scrap paper, you can help your child unlock deep, lasting understanding.
And that’s exactly what ‘Parent Power Chats’ is here to help you do.
Download your free copy now at www.my5mmt.com/ppc, and discover how to make maths a hands-on, confidence-building experience.
Because when your child can see and touch maths, they stop feeling lost and start feeling capable – and ‘Parent Power Chats’ shows you exactly how to make that happen at home.
