2nd grader struggling in math
Hello, this is my first post so I'm sorry in advance if it is done incorrectly!
My daughter Sammy is about to finish up 2nd grade and she has been struggling all year with math. I try and help her and she will sit and wait for me to give her the answer, rather than trying to get it right.
My husband and I both work full-time, and the babysitter does not help too much with the homework. I don't know what to do with her, because i don't want her to get behind in math so soon, before it starts to get really difficult.
I have heard of some centers that you can go to after school for extra academic help, but I'm not sure Sammy would want to go some place, nor do I have the time to take her.
Any suggestions of what ya'll do to help your children learn math without spending too much money and time away from home, would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!



Play games with dice--parcheesi is excellent, any game where you count the dice pips.
During your turn, instead of counting the pips, add them. "Three plus five is eight," then as you move your man, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight."
Play games where you have to total the score.
There are many inexpensive math workbooks available at $1 stores. Or, work together to make your own, your daughter can make the cover and decorate the pages of math problems you write for her to complete.
Start saving the change (coins) you get back from transactions. (The more change you have the better.) This method is going to work because of a few reasons:
1) children love to play with money
2) it will teach her the fundamentals - add, subtract, multiply, & divide
3) you as the parent will know the correct answers
THE MONEY GAME
the object of the game is to get your child to display different combinations of get the same amount of money. every time they find a different combination that equals the amount you specified set the coins aside. then ask them can you show me another way to get the amount. help them find as many different ways as possible. Once your child has mastered finding multiples of 5 and 10 (example: 85 cents, 40 cents), start exploring other numbers (example: 37 cents, 99 cents, 54 cents).
sit down on the floor with your child and empty the coins on the floor. (the floor is where most children play games and are relaxed)
start by going through the different coins and their value :
penny = 1 cent;
nickel = 5 cents or 5 pennies (set aside 1 nickel then have or help your child count out 5 pennies)
dime = 10 cents or 2 nickels
quarter = 25 cents or 5 nickels or 2 dimes and 1 nickel or 20pennies and 1 nickel or 15 pennies and 1 dimes or 10 pennies and three nickels or etc.
once your child know how to display the value to all the coins have them display values using different combinations of the coins.
Remember HAVE FUN. Let your child display an amount that they want you to find the different combinations for, as well.* When you put combinations together allow some to be wrong. This will give her the chance to correct the mistake. Most importantly, it will show her understanding of grouping (or multiplication and division)
*NOTE: when doing this make sure the amount your child say her has displayed is correct.
This is a great suggestion! I will play with my daughter and let you know how it goes, thank you so much!